Bawku curfew hours extended ...

...following fresh outbreak of violence
Bawku (U/E) March 11, GNA - The curfew in Bawku Municipality and its environs has been reviewed to 1500 hours to 0600 hours following the killing of two men on Tuesday morning. The Government had less than 24 hours earlier reduced the time to from 2000 hours to 0500 hours, because it claimed the situation had stabilised.

The two men were killed at the outskirts of the town, about four kilometres away from the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.

Even though the real cause of the crime had not been ascertained, people attributed it to the conflict, whose embers were dying off, and therefore started rioting and causing mayhem in the town.

"As a result, the Security imposed an emergency curfew starting from 1500 hours to 0600 hours and have asked people to go into their houses," Captain Victor Abbey, Officer Commanding, Ghana Air Bourne Force, Bawku Detachment, told the GNA

He explained that the security had to act fast to stem off further violence and so thought it best to let everyone go indoors.

He said the Police had arrested some suspects pending further investigations.

Government on Monday relaxed the curfew at Bawku and its environs from 1100 hours to nine hours following what it described as "the return of relative normalcy".

A statement signed in Accra on Monday by Mr Kwamena Bartels; Minister of the Interior, said upon the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC), the curfew hours had been modified from 1700 hours to 0600 hours to 2000 hours to 0500 hours.

"The change in the curfew hours therefore means that the curfew will now start at 2000 hours and end at 0500 hours everyday," it said.

The Government said the change in time had been justified by the improvements in the peace and security situation that was prevailing in the area due to the security measures, including the beefing up of security presence on the ground, and the commitment demonstrated by the political and traditional leaders of the area to work with the Upper East Regional Security Council to ensure peace.

"However, Government wishes to remind all stakeholders that the situation is still volatile, and therefore, wishes to urge all factions to desist from doing anything that will work against the process of ensuring the restoration of total normalcy in the area."

The Government warned that the ban on all persons in the Bawku Municipal area, Zabugu and Garu Township and their environs from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapon still remained in force, and any person found with any arms or ammunitions would be arrested and prosecuted.