Five arrested in Bimbila for illegal possession of arms

Five persons were last Saturday arrested at Bimbila in the Northern Region for allegedly possessing firearms.

The suspects, whose ages range between 20 and 85, are currently in police custody at Yendi and Tamale assisting in further investigations. Their names are being withheld for security reasons.

Arms and ammunition

Among the retrieved arms and ammunitions were a shot machine gun (SMG), a double barrel gun, a cap gun and four single barrel guns. The ammunitions include 732 AK 47, 43 G-3 and six AA cartridges.

According to the Northern Regional Police PRO, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, the arms were retrieved in a swoop early last Saturday morning by a joint security force, following intelligence report.

He explained that the exercise,which would be carried out periodically, was aimed at ridding the volatile area of weapons to ensure safety of life and property.

The officer indicated that Bimbila and its environs were still reeling from the recent security breach that led to the murder of the late Bimbila Naa, Dasana Andani and others in June,  this year.

Curfew

A curfew that is still in place was subsequently imposed in the area. It is being enforced by a joint military and police force that is patrolling the town to ensure law and order.

The Ministry of the Interior later banned the possession and carrying of any form of arms or ammunition in the area.

Therefore, according to ASP Tetteh, the five suspects would later be processed for prosecution. They would be charged for carrying and possessing weapons without lawful authority.

Background

The Bimbila Naa was allegedly attacked and murdered alongside three other family members at his palace at Bimbila in June this year by some unidentified assailants.

About five persons, including a baby, sustained varied degrees of injury in the attack. The remains of Naa Andani was interred a week after his demise on June 26.

The Bimbila North District, which is a farming area noted for the production of large quantity of yams, has suffered from protracted chieftaincy conflicts over the years.