The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP John Ferguson Dzineku, has appealed to authorities and other stakeholders in the Kusaug Traditional Area to help recover firearms held by civilians, amid concerns over armed robbery and killings in Garu, Tempane and Bawku.
He said the continued spread of weapons among civilians was a serious security risk, despite relative calm returning to Bawku and surrounding areas.
“We need all stakeholders on board to help us retrieve the firearms that have found their way into the hands of civilians. Now that peace is returning, we must work together to get these weapons back,” DCOP Dzineku said.
His comments followed concerns raised by chiefs in Garu and Tempane about a rise in armed robbery and killings in their communities.
The issues were discussed during the Upper East Regional Minister’s Accounting to the People tour of the two districts, where chiefs, opinion leaders and residents highlighted their security concerns.
DCOP Dzineku said the Police Command was investigating the incidents and maintaining a presence in the affected areas to protect law and order.
He added that officers would follow due process and avoid arresting people without evidence.
“The police are on the ground and investigations are ongoing. We will not arrest innocent persons. We will do due diligence and ensure that only culprits are brought to book,” he said.
Tempane police district plans
The Commander also revealed that preparations were well advanced to establish a separate Police District for Tempane.
The announcement came in response to a request from the Divisional Chief of Tempane, Naba Alasbuudi Cletus Abugri IV, who had called for the area to be separated from the Garu Police District.
DCOP Dzineku said the new district would strengthen police presence, shorten response times and improve efforts to tackle crime in Tempane.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Donatus Akamugri Atanga, made the tour as part of the government’s Accounting to the People programme, being carried out on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
During the visit, he inspected government projects that were under construction and commissioned completed projects. He also met traditional leaders, community representatives and residents to hear their development priorities.
The programme is intended to highlight the achievements of the Mahama administration over the last two years and strengthen public accountability.
Mr Atanga also asked traditional authorities to release land for government projects, saying development could not proceed without it, even where peace had been restored.
“Government is ready to develop the area, but we need our chiefs and landowners to make land available. Without land, there can be no development,” the Minister said.
Residents in Garu and Tempane welcomed the engagement and said they hoped the authorities would respond quickly to their security concerns, allowing development in both districts to progress.