WE WILL DEAL RUTHLESSLY WITH OFFENDERS (D/G, Thursday, March 5, 2009 PAGE 54)

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Alhaji Hamidu Mahama, Upper East Regional Police Commander, has warned trouble makers in Bawku about the dangers involved in engaging the joint Police and Military team on the ground in fights.
He said it was dangerous to use fire-power as a means of thwarting the efforts of the security forces to maintain law and order in the area and warned the trouble makers that the security forces would do everything to stop criminals from taking the law into their own hands.
Speaking to the media at Bawku last Tuesday, DCOP Mahama said the security agencies were alive to their responsibilities and would continue to pursue all the trouble makers to ensure that lasting peace returns to the area.
“It is life and property that is being destroyed in Bawku and we will not sit down and allow that to happen”, he added.
While assuring the nation of the commitment of the security agencies to get to the root of the problem, he appealed to the citizens of Bawku to partner the security agencies to bring peace and security to the area.
“Some members of the public who even see crime being committed are unwilling to report such actions to the security agencies, while others are even willing to aid the perpetrators to run away, this is not good,” he said and called for the cooperation of the general public.
So far 40 persons, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the disturbances. They have been transferred to the regional headquarters in Bolgatanga, where they are being screened.
Those found culpable will be charged and prosecuted. The security agencies have also seized one G3, a military rifle, some AK47 assault rifles and assorted ammunitions from some people in the area.
The official death toll in the latest round of fighting in Bawku is now eight. One police constable on peacekeeping operations was also shot in the leg. The policeman is currently on admission at the Bolgatanga regional hospital but he is likely to be flown out for further treatment.
Many houses have also been burnt rendering occupants homeless. Some of the displaced persons are now lodging with friends and relatives.
Houses burnt in the confusion, include the house of Mrs Agnes Azumah Osmanu, mother of the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Adamu Dramanu. Others were the house of the Registrar of the Bawku circuit court Mr Hamza Uztarz and that of his younger brother, Umar Uztarz, who is an accountant with the Bawku Municipal Mutual Health Insurance Scheme.
At the time of the incident, both men were out of their abodes. Also burnt was a house of a disabled old woman, Ayishetu Buzanga, whose residence and food barn were razed down. After narrating her ordeal, the regional police commander offered her some money to cater for herself and her family.
Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service appeared to have been overwhelmed by the number of fire incidents because apart from the inadequacy of the single fire engine, they were also exposed to incessant firing and are unwilling to move in to protect life and property.
Meanwhile, police reinforcement is due to arrive in Bawku to complement efforts by those on the ground.