By Haruna Sumaila Abugri
Paramount chief of the Bawku traditional area – Zug-Ran Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, has called on security agencies to go after individuals and groups, who are using social media to fuel the protracted Bawku conflict.
In a statement condemning recent killings in the area, the traditional ruler, noted that the activities of these social media warmongers, are worrying and that there is the need to have them arrested.
The president of the Kussaug traditional council, also described recent killings in the area as regrettable and called on all persons to used dialogue instead of violence in resolving issues.
Below is the press release copied to The Herald.
AZOKA II ON THE ATTACKS ON TRAVELERS ON HIGHWAYS WITHIN THE KUSAUG TRADITIONAL AREA.
Ladies and Gentlemen and all esteem readers of this press release, about a month ago I issued a press statement in which I warned all my subjects in the Kusaug Traditional Area against lawless activities such as unwanted, senseless and unprovoked attacks on innocent travellers on the highways within this Traditional Area. For quite a while, it seemed my advice and warnings had been heeded to and this area no longer experienced such attacks.
It is however, regrettable that a few days ago such attacks has reoccurred near the Bawku Township on the Bawku-Bolgatanga highway leading to the loss of three lives which also sparked reprisal attacks within the township.
My chiefs and I wish to condemn these criminal activities in no uncertain terms and to call on the security to investigate and bring the perpetuators of these dastardly acts to book. These acts only complicate an already bad situation we have in Bawku. I therefore call on all well-meaning citizens of Kusaug to use due process in whatever situation they are confronted with in finding lasting solutions to the precarious situation we find ourselves in Bawku.
What we urgently need in Bawku now is a mutual dialogue aimed at educating all the people to understand and accept the status quo and to find lasting solutions to the situation in Bawku which will enable us to live in peace together in a society in which violence is not an option.
I wish to call on all citizens of Kusaug that what we cannot resolve by ourselves, should be taken to the courts or the law enforcement authorities for their intervention. Let cool heads prevail. The killings that affects all ethnic groups in Bawku is not a good development and is rather making an already bad situation worst.
I wish to also call on all citizens of Kusaug not to export the conflict in Bawku to other areas. I wish to assure Mamprusis from Nalerigu, Gambaga, and elsewhere to feel free to continue to ply their business and patronise all markets in Kusaug or pass through to Sankansi market in Northern Togo.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I wish to call on the security agencies to position themselves strategically, adequately and visibly to prevent this new phenomenon. The security should also turn their attention to the war mongers, those who are using social media to wage war on the people of Kusaug. They are using social media to spread hate speeches, pour out arrogant insults and character assassination of well-placed citizens of Kusaug who have worked so hard to earn their reputation. I call on the security personnel to identify and bring such miscreant to book to deter would be offenders. Social media should rather be used to allow the people to reintegrate and live in harmony something I have pursued since I ascended the skin in 1984.
I wish to call on all to allow us to reintegrate and support one another in this difficult times in order to be able to build peace and prosperity in Bawku for the common benefit of all.
Thank you.
………………………………………………………….
ZUGRAAN BAWKU NABA
(Overlord of Kusaug& President of the Kusaug Traditional Council)
Copies:
- The MCE
Bawku Municipal Assembly
- The Municipal Police Command
Bawku – UE/R.
- The Municipal Commander
NIB – Bawku
- The Army Commander
Bawku – UE/R
- All Media Outlets
