Haruna Sumaila Abugri
A youth group called, KUKA-ZABUGU youth, has called on the security agencies in Bawku to stop what it describes as needless arrest of innocent persons.
The group, says it is saddened, following the arrest of one Alhassan Haya on of March 5, this year.
According to the them, the said Alhassan, is innocent and as such arresting him for no crime is tantamount to a target and should not be tolerated.
Below is the released copied to this outlet.
PRESS STATEMENT
For immediate Release 7th March,2022
Attention:
All Media Houses
KUKA-ZABUGU YOUTH’SREACTION TO THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF MR. ALHASSAN HAYABY THE SECURITY FORCES IN BAWKU
We write to express our shock and dismay over the arrest of Mr. Alhassan Haya by the security forces on the night of 5th March, 2022 in his house located at Gozesi in the Bawku Municipal area.
It is to be noted that this is not the first time Mr. Alhassan Haya has been targeted by the security forces in Bawku for arrest and humiliation. The first time was on the day of December 26, 2021when a group of military men stormed Gozesi and killed one Alhassan Kabasib, an unarmed civilian in his seventies, after which they also attacked and brutalized Mr. Alhassan Haya even though he was also not armed. This resulted in him been admitted at Vine Yard Hospital for several days before he was discharged.
It is sad to note that Mr. Alhassan Haya who is still suffering from some undisclosed ailments after his ordeal, and is alsostill mourning the death of his wife, which occurred not too long ago, is being made to suffer like this for doing nothing against the laws of Ghana. It is abundantlyclear that he is not involved in the current Bawku crisis since the security forces have so far not been able to link him to it or establish any evidence against him.
We the Youth of Kuka-Zabugu are of the firm believe that the security forces in Bawku are being remotely controlled by certain faceless individuals who continue to manipulate them in order to achieve their parochial interests and settle non-existent scores with persons they might have perceived to have issues with. This view of ours, is premised on the fact that both Mr. Alhassan Kabasib who was brutally murdered by the military in cold blood on December, 26, 2021 and Mr. Alhassan Haya, who had been unjustly arrested and detained for two days never played a part in the current conflict in Bawku town. Westrongly challenge the security forces to adduce any evidence to the contrary.
We wish to remind the security forces in Bawku that their core mandate is to protect lives and property and not to destroy same. As professionals who are being paid using the tax payers’ money, it is completely unbecoming of them to continue to maim and cause suffering to those whose sweat and toil provide the resources to keep them on their jobs and to feed their families. In any case if the security forces in Bawku are genuinely committed to bringing to an end the protracted conflict in the town, they would not have remained aloof and allow the main architects of the recent upheavals to continue to walk free while they continue to pursue innocent souls on daily basis. Bawku had enjoyed relative peace since June, 2011. What and who caused the current situation we now all find ourselves in is not something a five-year-old child does not know.
Before the conflict, we were witnesses to threats and warmongering from people in social media. Yet, people who were quiet and going about their normal businesses are now being arrested, harassed and incarcerated. It is therefore very disheartening that the security forces have decided to abandon the real culprits and are only delighted in inflicting pain to those who are not in any way related to the conflict. This is a clear case of treating the symptom and not the disease. Such a practice, never, never cures the disease.
We are by this release, calling on the security forces to ensure that all the frivolous charges levelled againstMr. Alhassan Haya are immediately dropped. They are to also ensure that all arbitrary arrests and detentions within the Municipality are brought to an immediate end.
Thank you.
SGN.
- AwalimiAtiewin Abraham
CONVENER
(0246280286)
- Benduah Paul
SECRETARY
(0551614886)
Cc:
The National Security Minister, Accra.
The National Security Co-ordinator, Accra.
The Chairman, Regional Security Council, UER, Bolgatanga.
The Area Police Commander, Bawku.
The Army Commander, Bazua Detachment, Bawku.
The Chairman, Bawku Municipal Security Council, Bawku.
The Zugraan, AbugragoAzoka II, Kusaug Traditional Council, Bawku.
