Multiple Gunshots In Bawku

Police in the Bawku Municipality have arrested two suspects in connection with the daylight shooting of three persons in the troubled area. One of the victims has died.

The two, whose names were not disclosed, are suspected to be part of a gang of men that opened fire on three persons around the Barclays Bank area, close to Natinga, a Mamprusi-dominated area.

The three who were shot- Nichema Adam, a 28-year-old loading boy; Mohammed Abubakari, a 30-year-old corn mill operator; and Sulemana Adinya, a 41-year-old tea seller, were rushed to the Bawku Presby Hospital, where Sulemana Adinya died shortly, due to the injuries he sustained in the chest.

Eyewitnesses have been invited by the Police to assist in investigations to smoke out the criminals.

The incident comes just after another, where a man and woman were shot. Kariama Mboda Ibrahim, 36, and Belawu Iddrisu were attacked on 25th March 2010 at Mongnori, a suburb of Bawku.

Kariama was shot twice in the right arm and once in the left knee, while Belawu Iddrisu was shot in the left arm.

The two were among passengers who were returning from Bito through Mongnori when their Urvan bus, with registration number CR 26 T was attacked by a gang of men who, according to Kariama, were wielding AK 47 rifles.

Shortly after the incident, the Police embarked on a sweep and rounded up some eight Kusasis and three Bisas in some nearby houses. Two persons among those arrested in the sweep were released due to their ages- 15 and 72 years.

This fresh incident could be the beginning of more to come, as the Kusasis and Mamprusis in the area are seriously arming themselves and waiting for an opportunity to strike at each other.

Recently, a T-Shirt printed by the Mamprusis was described by the Kusasi youth and elders as provocative while Mamprusis saw the T-Shirt as  source of inspiration, hence as the Kusasis wish that the T-shirts were banned, Mamprusis kept buying  and wearing them.

Bawku Naba, Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, held a press conference in Bawku and called for the withdrawal of the T-shirts which had the inscription, “Original Chiefs of Bawku”, at the back.

At the press conference, he expressed dismay at the level of disrespect by the Mamprusis for him.

His call was not heeded.  However the Municipal Security Committee, also after an emergency meeting, ordered that no one should wear the T-shirt or other paraphernalia which had inscriptions that were offensive to other persons or tribes.

At the time of filing this report, calm had returned to the town, but businesses had come to a halt.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Abdulai Musah, in an interview told DAILY GUIDE that the area had been deserted.

“The situation is worrying and you can't say what will come the next moment. The Assembly even finds it difficult to plan and make projections,” he said.

The Police have improved surveillance and joint patrols with the Military personnel in the area to avert further trouble.

From Ebo Bruce-Quansah, Bolgatanga