No intention to attack security agents-Bunkpurugu Chief Assures

The Paramount Chief of the Bimoba Traditional area, Alhaji Abuba Nasimong and the Chiefs of Nakpanduri and Bimbagu, have debunked allegations of a planned attack on security agencies in Nakpanduri by the youth of the community

“We do not have any intent or the capacity to attack the security forces.”

This was contained in a statement read by Mr. Konlan James, Chairman of the Nakpanduri Development Association (NADA) at a press conference at the Bunkpurugu Chief’s palace to react to the allegations leveled against the Youth of Nakpanduri.

This follows a statement purported to have emanated from the Nakpanduri District Police Commander and the BNI official there during a District Security Committee (DISEC) meeting, asserting that some of the youth from Nakpanduri were planning to attack security officials in the area.

The chiefs expressed regret at the claims made by the security agencies, adding that, there was no reason to attack the very institution that had been established to protect their lives at a time they needed them most.

“It is against this backdrop that we find the statement made by the BNI and the police commander, which was subsequently reported on 6th July 2012 by an Accra based radio station, to be most unfortunate”.

Mr. Konlan further stated that Security personnel in 2000, during a conflict in Bimbagu, brutalized the people of Nakpanduri and remanded them in police custody, albeit their extrication with the incidence.

Similarly, he said a police swoop in Nakpanduri in search for Johnson Kombian, led to assault on several people, burning of houses, looting of stores amongst others. “Realizing the monumental injustices meted out to the people, government through the former Attorney General apologized and relief items subsequently sent as a way of placating the people”.

The people of Nakpanduri, he said, in all these circumstances never resisted the unlawful conduct of the security forces even in the mist of extreme provocation.

“The people did not resist even when they suffered severe inhuman treatment and indignities from the security forces” he stressed.

He however stated that the people of Nakpanduri and Bimobas are peace loving people and would continue to abide by the laws of the land.

He said in their desire to find lasting peace to the problems that have bedeviled them, the security agents should desist from such statements that have the tendency to worsen the otherwise volatile situation.

Alhaji Abuba Nasimong, who expressed worry about the claims, said whereas attempts were being made in finding lasting solution to the insecurity in the area, some people have been trying to derail the peace in the area.

According to him, there has not been any attack on anyone by a Bimoba since 1985, adding that, without the security details in the area, there obviously would be no peace.

“When conflicts arise, it is the police and the military that salvage the situation; there was therefore no such intention whatsoever to attack any security official”.

He called on government to intervene and effectively investigate the issue to curtail any future problems.

He said plans were far advanced to lead a delegation of eminent chiefs to have talks with the Kokombas to find a lasting solution to their problems and live peacefully together.

It would be recalled that there was a communal clash between the Bimobas on one hand and the Kokombas on the other, at Kpemale, a farming community in Nakpanduri in the BunKprugu-Yunyo District over land, demarcation of boundaries and encroachment of lands allotted for the development of a school.

The community has since been calm and the people are going about their normal economic and farming activities in a serene atmosphere with the presence of security personnel.**