Tomato traders harassed at Kandiga junction
Kandiga (UE), March 2, GNA- Traders mostly women who travel from the Southern sector to Burkina Faso to buy tomatoes in bulk to sell were on Thursday attacked and beaten up and robbed by group of young men at the Kandiga junction near Navrongo in the Upper East Region. One of the victims whose name was not given said their monies and mobile phones were taken away.
The victim who sustained several injuries has been admitted at the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital and is responding to treatment. Narrating the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Navrongo, the Acting Kassena-Nankana District Police Commander, Mr. Kwaku Innocent Doe, said at about 0900 hours on Thursday, a group calling itself "Leading boys" who usually escort the tomato traders to make their purchases in Burkina Faso came to his office.
He said they demanded security to escort 41 loaded trucks of tomato from Paga through Navrongo since they were likely to be blocked by tomato farmers in the area.
The District Commander said he dispatched a team of policemen to assist escort the loaded trucks to the Navrongo Police station, which was done successfully.
He said the police then left the traders at Tamale to proceed on their journey to the South.
Mr Doe said at about 1100 hours, he had information that a group of young bandits had intercepted and attacked the tomato trucks at the Kandiga Junction.
The traders as well as the truck drivers and driver-mates, were severely beaten up and robbed.
Mr. Doe said he again dispatched policemen to the scene who were able to arrest some of the culprits and placed them in police custody in Bolgatanga.
He said those arrested were armed with cudgels, catapults and other weapons, which they used in harassing the victims. Mr Doe said he suspects that those involved were not tomato farmers but a group of idle young men who took advantage of the situation to carry out their operation.
The Acting District Commander urged the people in the area to volunteer information to the Police to assist apprehend the criminals. 3 March 07 Source:
GNA
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Security Agencies On High Alert
The security agencies say they are on high alert to offer maximum security during the Ghana@50 celebration.
‘We are adequately prepared and will not compromise on security," Patrick Acheampong, the Inspector General of Police, told a news conference in Accra yesterday on the state of preparedness of the security agencies for the celebration. Heads of other security agencies including the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) and Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) attended the conference.
Apart from providing adequate security for the independence day parades on March 6, security will be provided at hotels, restaurants and other public places to ensure that crime was kept under control.
"All the security agencies including the military, CEPS, GIS, intelligence units and the regional coordinating councils are collaborating for a crime free celebration," he said, stressing that "We will not allow those who do not want to join in the celebration to disrupt it."
In addition, he said an integrated communication network has been created to ensure an effective communication and sharing of intelligence information among the security agencies.
He appealed to the public to exercise patience, especially with the traffic inconveniences the convoys of dignitaries would create, and urged the public to also volunteer information about suspicious looking characters.
Ms Elizabeth Adjei, Director of GIS, for her part, also gave the assurance that the service was up to the task and would not compromise on security at the ports considering the high influx of visitors expected.
She said that about 800 personnel have been posted to the various borders and ports to enhance the processing of travellers.
Emmanuel Doku, Commissioner of CEPS, said "We are alert to intercept any illegal material from entering the country."
He said the service has taken measures to facilitate the speedy clearance of goods meant for the celebrations.
Source:
Times
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