Northern Region Police Command gains positive relation with communities
The Northern Regional Police Command has commended three communities along the Damango-Fufulso road namely Sumpini, Kojope and Janipe of Central and West Gonja Districts for their assistance in fighting armed robbery.
The communities had on July 2 and 3 this year, chased and killed some Fulani herdsmen who allegedly engaged in armed robberies in the area.
The herdsmen had robed travelers of several quantities of money and other belongings and had been terrorizing the area making travelling along that road very dangerous.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) George Tuffour who presented assorted items including sugar, rice and milk to the communities on Wednesday at separate ceremonies, appealed to them to “remain extra vigilant and fish out any miscreant lurking around.”
He said the police was grateful for their watchdog role and that it was important to help the police to maintain law, order and sanity on that portion of the route.
He explained that because of the bad nature of the Damango-Fufulso-Sawla road, it was difficult for the police to do effective patrols thereby giving leeway for the armed robbers to operate.
DCOP Tuffuor stressed the need for the entire Ghanaian community to learn from the shining examples of those communities to ensure effective community policing and noted that the police duty was more efficient especially when combined with public efforts.
“The Police cannot be everywhere and we want to partner you in fighting crime…as a service, we have a mission of protecting life and property with assistance from the public”, he added.
He said the police in collaboration with other community members had been able to kill four robbers and maimed others in the region, which had scared the robbers and pledged to erect tents along identified routes for increased police patrols.
Mr. Salisu Be-Awurube, Central Gonja District Chief Executive (DCE) said the district was ready to partner and commit resources to any efforts that would help minimize crime particularly armed robbery on that stretch of the road.
He said the residents have been living in fear because of the robbers while travelers who ply the route were always scared until they reach their destination.
The residents of the three communities appealed to the police to help them license their guns and pistols to make the fight against robbery effective since the armed robbers carried offensive and sophisticated weapons.
In response, DCOP Tuffuor promised to facilitate the process for them to legalize their weapons to enable them to defend themselves against robbers.
Source: GNA