Police partner "Azoka Boys" to maintain peace

Tamale, 24, GNA - The Northern Regional Police Command has urged the "Azoka Boys" to help the police to maintain peace and order in the region especially during the celebration of this year's Damba festival which climaxes at the weekend. Assistance Commissioner of Police (ACP) Angwunbutoge Awuni, Northern Regional Police Commander said partnering the "Azoka Boys" was a major step at nipping any trouble in the region in the bud. ACP Awuni was speaking to the leadership of the Azoka group in Tamale on Wednesday on the need to be law abiding and public spirited. He said police intelligence indicates that the Azoka group was allegedly sending some of its members to Yendi to disrupt peace in the area during the Damba festival hence the need to have a partnership to keep them out of trouble saying, "We believe Damba would be celebrated without any disturbances". ACP Awuni said police officers have been deployed to Yendi while the military was also collaborating with some forces to curtail any disturbances in the area as they intensify patrols in other parts of the region. He urged all other groups in the metropolis to desist from causing trouble or having the intention to cause trouble which would slow down development of the region. The Commander of the Azoka Boys, Mr. Mohammed Ayuba, promised to continue in its efforts at maintaining the peace in the area adding, "We are peace loving people and wish to continue contrary to the view that the Azoka Boys are trouble makers". He said the group with about 450 members are a Youth Wing of the NDC who do not cause troubles but defend themselves against any group that try to fight them. 25 Feb.10