PNC candidate's murder suspect and seven others arrested

Tamale, Nov. 16, GNA - A suspect who allegedly murdered the parliamentary candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC) for the 2008 general election in the Nalerigu constituency, Mr. Moses Alando Banaba, had been arrested with seven others.

The suspect, Salifu Tia, alias Zongo Naaba, 31 and a farmer was arrested in Gulugu in the Gushiegu District of the Northern Region by the police upon a tip-off from the chief and people of the area.

The deceased, who was working at the Nalerigu Baptist Medical Centre in the East Mamprusi District as a pharmacist, was allegedly ambushed and shot in the thigh when he was on his way home after work on Thursday evening. The Northern Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Angwubutoge Awuni told the media on Monday that the suspect fled to a nearby village after committing the crime and when the police got there they were prevented from searching the area.

He said Tia left that village to Gulugu where the chief and people of the area reported him to the police leading to his arrest on Sunday. Mr Awuni said a locally manufactured pistol and a military belt were found on him.

He said the police were treating the act as a pure case of murder and not linked to any conflicts but added that there were also suspicions that it could be linked to the Bawku conflict. In a related development, seven other suspects had been picked up by the police at Nasia and are to be screened and placed before court. 1