Police Urges Kusaug Chiefs to Help Retrieve Firearms From Civilians
The Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP John Ferguson Dzineku, has appealed to stakeholders and traditional authorities in the Kusaug Traditional Area to help retrieve firearms in the possession of civilians to curb rising crime in Garu, Tempane and Bawku.
According to him, although relative peace has returned to Bawku and surrounding communities, the proliferation of firearms among civilians remains a major security threat.
“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.
He made the appeal after chiefs in Garu and Tempane raised concerns over increasing cases of armed robbery and killings in their communities during the Upper East Regional Minister’s Accounting to the People tour.
DCOP Dzineku assured residents that the Police Command was actively investigating the incidents and would continue to maintain law and order in the affected areas.
He stressed that the police would conduct thorough investigations and avoid arresting innocent persons.
“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 assured.
Responding to an appeal by the Divisional Chief of Tempane, Naba Alasbuudi Cletus Abugri IV, for the area to be separated from the Garu Police District, DCOP Dzineku disclosed that plans were advanced to establish a separate Police District for Tempane.
He said the move would strengthen police presence, reduce response times and improve efforts to combat crime in the area.
The security concerns emerged during the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga’s tour of Tempane and Garu Districts as part of the government’s Accounting to the People initiative being undertaken on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
The tour included inspections of ongoing government projects, commissioning of completed projects and engagements with chiefs, opinion leaders and residents on their development concerns.
The initiative seeks to highlight the achievements of the Mahama administration over the past two years while strengthening public accountability.
The Regional Minister also appealed to traditional authorities to release land for government projects, stressing that development could not take place without access to suitable land.
“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,” he said.
Residents in both districts welcomed the engagement and expressed hope that their security concerns would be addressed promptly to create an enabling environment for development.
By Esther Padmore Amonoo
