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