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Wa Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV, Overlord of the Wala Traditional Area has blamed "systemic failure" on the part of the State Security apparatus, traditional leaders, and residents as being responsible for the recent murders in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region.
Residents on Tuesday, June 18, woke up to another chilling news of the killing of private security guards in the Wa Municipality reminiscent of a similar fashion that rocked the town some two years ago, with two persons having their lives cruelly taken from them in a single night on this occasion.
Following the previous serial killings about two years ago, over two dozen suspects were apprehended by the Police. Still, since then, nothing has been heard of the case by residents until the current incident which has sent shockwaves down the spines of the people who are fearing for the worst.
The Overlord in a Press Statement believes that it is because everyone had gone to sleep after some suspects were arrested during the previous killings, letting down their guard hence, the recurring of the dastardly act by the unknown dark forces whose modus operandi remains a mystery, at least, for now.
"This has happened before and we raised red flags everywhere, but soon forgot of it and let down our guard. What has happened is a systemic failure. The fault is at the doorsteps of the State Security apparatus, the traditional authorities, and more especially, residents in the Municipality," Wa Naa Fuseini Pelpuo IV said.
According to the Overlord, even though it is the mandate of the State Security apparatus to ensuring there is peace and security for the people, which he indicated, can only be achieved when assisted with the relevant information and tip-offs to act which he said the people are reluctant to do.
He blamed residents for their wanton desire to shield criminal elements in society for "inexplicable reasons."
"While the State Security apparatus is responsible for the maintenance of peace and security, it can only succeed if we support it with relevant information. The perpetrators of these heinous murders live among us. They can hardly commit these murders without being noticed by one or a number of people. The fact is, for inexplicable reasons, we shield them," his royal Highness lamented.
While outlining a plethora of measures arrived at from a meeting between the Wala Traditional Council and the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) following the barbaric spectacle, the Overlord called on the Police to update the people with findings of the arrested suspects on the previous killings to help rekindle the spirit of volunteerism among the youth who are ready to assist them in bringing the situation under control.
Bodies of the two private security men were discovered at separate locations - Wa Model JHS and Wa East Education Service office - both in Wa Municipal, triggering a probe into the circumstances that led to their murder.
Below is the complete statement:
