Gov’t will protect northern chiefs – Agalga

The Interior Ministry has assured chiefs in the three regions of the north that it will protect them against any attempt on their lives.

This follows the murder of some chiefs in those regions over chieftaincy disputes which led to frequent communal clashes.

The paramount chief of Buipe, Abdulai Mahama Jinapor II in adesperate appeal said many of the chiefs  in that part of the country feel insecure.  The security services have so far failed to track down the killers of the late overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II and the Bimbilla chief, Naa Dasana Abdulai Andani II.

The Deputy Interior Minister, James Agalga told Citi News the Buipewura has legitimate concerns but he assured him that the government “is on top of national security and will continue to do everything within its power to protect the chiefs of this country.”

He recalled that after the murder of the Yaa Naa, people raised concerns about the nature of investigations which were carried out leading to the acquittal of the individuals who were put before court.

There are suggestions for the government to re-open investigations into the matter and according to Agalga, “all options are opened to government and it is weighing the situation to see what can be done about the murder of the Yaa Naa.”

He clarified that the murder of the Yaa Naa is not “a closed issue. Government is still fishing out for information…”

Meanwhile, security analyst with the West African Network for Peace-building (WANEP), Emmanuel Bombande says finding the culprits are only a minute part of a bigger social problem.

He said the Buipewura is not only expressing fears but he “seems to propose a solution in the criminal justice court.”

Mr. Bombande remarked that the roles of chiefs make them vulnerable thereby making them easy targets for criminals.

“But the problem is not just limited to the chiefs as the targets. The chief might be more vulnerable because of his role but to try and limit it to the chief’s role, is in itself, a limited understanding of the deeper issues of social conflict,” he explained.

Source: citifmonline.com