Bawku chieftaincy feuding factions reluctant to surrender weapons for cash

Feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy conflict are reluctant to surrender their weapons and blame their inflexibility on their lack of confidence in the security agencies. A member of the Manprusi clan Mohammed Tahiru Nambe said they are afraid the situation cannot be applicable to Bawku since there is mistrust and loss of confidence in the security agencies. He however indicated that a lot of people have in their possessing weapons. Recurrent gun violence in the Bawku claimed scores of lives in the past decade with its resultant destruction of property running into millions of cedis. In recent times, three people lost their lives after violent clashes. Government last Wednesday offered a month’s amnesty for residents possessing illegal weapons to turn them in and receive cash incentives. Interior Minister Mark Woyongo believes the move is part of measures to bring solution to the chieftaincy crisis between the Manprusi and the Kusasis. Mr. Woyongo, who once served as Regional Minister for Upper East, warned those who fail to comply with the directive would be hunted, arrested and prosecuted after the amnesty period. Reacting further to the directive, tribal leaders including Mohammed Tahiru believes it is difficult to hand over weapons if they have any. His position is shared by a leading figure in the Kusasis clan Salifu Mohammed.

Source Joy