FATAL SHOOTING OF 3 MILITARY OFFICERS

 21/03/2022

PRESS CONFERENCE BY MAMPRUGU YOUTH ASSOCIATION (MAYA):BAWKU CHAPTER

FATAL SHOOTING OF 3 MILITARY OFFICERS IS THE RESULT OF MONTHS OF TERRORISM, CRIMINAL ACTS AND BANDITRY PERPETRATED BY EMBOLDENED KUSASI YOUTH

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, we welcome you to this press conference. We appreciate your prompt response to cover this interaction even though it was on short notice. Before we proceed, we will like to extend well wishes to the military command for the speedy recovery of the 3 military officers injured on the morning of 17th March 2022. We feel their pain and we pray that God grants all the security personnel protection as they strive in their duties to provide peace, security, and safety to the people of Bawku. 

BACKGROUND 

Our attention has been drawn to a press conference addressed on  March 17th, 2022 by a group calling itself Kusasi Youth Movement titled "Military Brutalities and Atrocities in Bawku" and read by one George Atuasi, a Bissa by tribe, and now a Self-Proclaimed Kusasi (SPKU). Their press conference not only contained scandalous and baseless allegations against  Mamprugu but it also contained a clear admission of the commission of the crime by kusasi Youth which is the fatal shooting of the 3 military men at the Kusasi enclave of Baribare-Buabula in the early hours of  March 16th, 2022. After expressly admitting to the crime of the shooting of the 3 military officers, the leaders of these Kusasi Youth with impunity further justified, without any remorse, their insane act of openly confronting the Soldiers with firearms. This behavior by the leaders of the Kusasi Youth, as will be made clear below with facts and dates, is a clear indication that their shooting of the 3 military men is the result of their years of impunity, terrorism, and banditry targeted at all tribes living in the Bawku township.

A CHRONOLOGY OF TERRORISM, CRIMINAL ACTS AND BANDITRY PERPETUATED BY KUSASI YOUTH SINCE DECEMBER 2021

1. 21st December 2021: kusasi Youth in Sabongari, a suburb of Bawku attacked a team of Military Intelligence Officers at a revenue collection checkpoint and set ablaze their car on false accusations that the Military officers were transporting arms for the Mamprusis. It took divine intervention for the military officers to survive because they were almost lynched by the violent Kusasi Youth. (Video evidence available)

2. 27th December 2021: kusasi bandits at Bugri corner attacked and gruesomely killed two innocent Mamprusi Youth from Gambaga namely Iddrisu Issifu and Baba Razak who were on a business trip to Kulungungu to deliver a Horse that was bought by a customer. Remember Bugri Corner is outside Bawku and one would presume that the conflict is centered around Bawku. Iddrisu Issifu and Baba Razak do not come from Bawku but were lynched simply because they are Mamprusis. kusasis everywhere have drawn themselves into the Bawku conflict and attack Mamprusis whether or not they come from Bawku. We await patiently to see the outcome of investigations into the murder of these two innocent promising young men.

3. 27th December 2021: On the same day that the Gambaga two were killed, kusasi Youth in a coordinated fashion took the law into their own hands and carried out their threats of violently taking up arms against Mamprusis on the claim that Mamprusis were going to perform the funeral of the late 14th Bawkunaba. They completely ignored the fact that they had every right under the constitution to seek redress through non-violent means like the courts especially when the performance of a funeral had absolutely nothing to do with Kusasis or kusasi culture. 

4. 28th December 2021: kusasi bandits attacked the Total Filling station in Bawku popularly known as Mobil and shot into a group of Mamprusis killing Yakubu Imoro Amandi on the spot and critically injuring Baba Salley who died after a few days. 

5. 28th December 2021: On this same day, kusasi bandits killed a Bissa pregnant woman called Awudu Rukaya at Dadure a suburb of Bawku when they went looking for her husband who was not at home with the allegation that he is a mamprusi sympathiser. So called shameless kusasi Queen mothers quickly organized a press conference blaming Mamprusis for the act. These queen mothers were put to shame when the media interviewed the victim’s daughter who was at the scene and spoke contrary to the baseless allegations of these so-called queen mothers. It is instructive to note that, after the incident, the victim’s relatives took refuge in Natinga, the town centre and a Mamprusi dominated area where they felt safer.

6. 9th January 2022: A Hausa man by name Mahadi Saani who was a driver was shot and injured by kusasi bandits around the Gbewaah Training College even though his car was being escorted by the police. This stretch of road is within Pusiga. Surprisingly and funny enough, the so-called Pusiga Chief Akpaka Philip claimed in his press conference of 17th March 2022 that Pusiga is detached from Bawku. This is very hypocritical of Akpaka since it is common knowledge that he is one of the lead persons inciting violence in Bawku. He has been caught on tape and video inciting Kusasis against Mamprusis. (Video and Voice Audio evidence available) This further confirms the coordination by kusasis everywhere to get involved in the Bawku conflict and to fight Mamprusis or any other ethnic group who relates in any way with Mamprusis.

7. 10th January 2022: kusasi bandits ambushed a Tamale bound vehicle at Bazua/Ambrose and killed a Mossi driver by the name Tijani. Again, one would presume Bazua is outside Bawku but these kusasi criminals will stop at nothing to continue perpetuating violence, banditry and pure criminal acts in the name of fighting Mamprusis. This incident also brings to light the modus operandi of these kusasi criminals who set up illegal road blocks and checkpoints where they isolate and kill anyone believed to be Mamprusi or associated with Mamprusis. Member of parliament for Tamale South, Haruna Iddrisu on a recent visit to Bawku brought this to light.

8. 11th January 2022: kusasi bandits shot and killed a Moshie man by the name Awudu Welder who was attending a funeral event. No mean person than Abugrago Aninchema openly accused Mamprusis for this dastardly act. A pure case of the pot calling the kettle black.

9. 23rd January 2022: kusasi bandits attacked a CFA exchange point where Mamprusis and Mossis trade. The attack by the Kusasi bandits killed two Mossis by the name Taiban and Babsey. Others who were wounded during this incident are still recovering and suffering from the emotional and psychological scars left by the kusasi criminals.

10. 23rd January 2022: kusasi bandits shot and killed a female police officer even though she clearly identified herself as a police officer. The security intelligence and agencies in Bawku know this incident so well and we await the day when the perpetrators would be brought to book.

11. 27th February 2022: kusasi bandits killed a Mossi tricycle operator by the name Salley Yarga Monamona at a high-security zone (close to the Prison Service, BNI bungalows, and Military bungalows). Some arrests were made and it is our hope that soon, justice will be served for the soul of Salley to find rest.

12. 14th March 2022: kusasi bandits killed an 82-year-old man by the name Silmi Poure when he was passing through a Kusasi suburb of Gozezi with his horse. This is the incident that sparked recent sporadic shootings by kusasis and attracted the attention of the security forces to go to the source of the shootings to maintain peace and order. These sporadic shootings by violent kusasi criminals will continue for three days with the military trying so hard to bring them under control. 

13. 16th March 2022: The mother of all crimes when the kusasi bandits shot and injured 3 military men who were on patrol at Baribare-Buabula. The military high command has issued a statement to this effect.

Ladies and gentlemen, one would find that the list of the victims of the terrorism by the Kusasi Youth is not only limited to Mamprusis but also other tribes who live in the township. The kusasis have been so emboldened that they even take their terrorist criminal activities to the military. This is because the Kusasis have had a long-held agenda which is to wipe any tribe living in the Bawku township so that they can come from their villages to settle in the Bawku township. This may sound funny and absurd but that is their thinking. They know they cannot claim ownership of a town where they have never lived and have never belonged thus this agenda. In several audios, members of their banditry groups threatened that they will kill anyone coming out of the township irrespective of their tribe. But truth is truth and no matter how long it is buried will always germinate and blossom. Recent events have shown the whole world the true nature of these kusasis.

DISGUSTING JUSTIFICATION BY KUSASI YOUTH FOR THEIR COMMISSION OF CRIME 

The Kusasi Youth made an allegation that Mamprusis dressed like military men and attacked Kusasis at Buabula 14 years ago and this was why their bandits and terrorists fired at the Soldiers.  This is a figment of the imagination of the kusasis as they attempt to justify their dastardly act of attacking the army deployed to keep the peace. We find this to be very disgusting, flimsy and an old age ploy employed by the Kusasis to justify their attacks on the security officers and to blame Mamprusis for their criminal acts and banditry. 

Somewhere in 2008, a Mamprusi man by the name Zakari Abagrey’s horse strayed into the Kusasi enclave of Buabula. On that fateful day there was no conflict or the sign of it in town. Mr. Zakari knowing there was no tension pursued his horse to catch it. The criminal minded Kusasi Youth and bandits attacked him, tied him to a tree and the entire community of Buabula stoned him to death in a draconian fashion. They also killed his horse as if the poor animal was a Mamprusi. This incident disturbed the peace of Bawku and ignited ethnic violence. Mamprusis in their law-abiding fashion reported the incident to the police, got escorted to retrieve Mr. Zakari’s body for burial. 

Mamprusis are not military men and our youth have never and will never be unlawful as to wear any uniform belonging to the military for any confrontation anywhere. In fact, the military will attest to the fact that Mamprusi Youth have been very law abiding and respect the authority of the military. 

Our ancestors who founded Bawku and who so benevolently settled these kusasis in the various communities around Bawku will not sleep for these strangers to destroy our beloved land of Bawku. 

DEFIANT AND VIOLENT POSTURE OF THE KUSASI YOUTH 

Fellow Ghanaians, it would be expected that following the violent shooting of military officers, the Kusasi Youth would have been sober and apologise to Ghanaians and the Ghana Armed Forces. However, this group of bloodthirsty youth under the leadership of Haruna Sumaila Abugri still continue to exhibit a violent and unrepentant posture. 

First is their lame justification for shooting the 3 military men. Then an individual by the name of Nabzua did an audio urging his Kusasi bandits to kill the Municipal Chief Executive Hon. Hamza Amadu even if he is protected by 10 military men. Also, after pretending to be crying for so-called fatalities on their women, the bloodthirsty Kusasi bandits issued an audio threatening to kill their own Kusasi women who will go into the Bawku township for market activities. This is the level of impunity that these Kusasi bandits have reached and if they can threaten their own mothers and wives how much more people who are not related to them? 

COMPLICITY OF THE UPPER EAST REGIONAL MINISTER STEPHEN YAKUBU 

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, from the aforementioned, it is obvious that the criminal shooting of the 3 military officers is only the end result of a series of crimes committed with impunity by the Kusasi youth. Regrettably, these actions were encouraged by the Regional Minister Stephen Yakubu who is their tribesman. In a series of audios, the Kusasis have always boasted that they are in control of the Region and wondered why they cannot do whatever they want. The Regional Minister together with the former Regional Coordinating Director, Mahamudu Assibi Azonko displayed clear bias in favor of their tribesmen and this is what has encouraged them to commit the series of crimes enumerated above.

Hypocritically, the Kusasi Youth claimed in their press conference that they want the dismissal of the MCE Hon Hamza Amadu without any mention of Stephen Yakubu, the Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council. This hypocritical call by the Kusasi Youth exposes their ethnocentrism and long-held agenda of war and violence targeting any other tribe since the MCE Hon. Hamza Amadu is Mossi by tribe. They are sacrificing him for their tribesman. We the Mamprugu Youth wish to express our satisfaction with the work of the MCE. The President should ignore completely the tribalistic call by the Kusasi youth. 

WAY FORWARD

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, we have always maintained that under no circumstances should any faction threaten to use violence simply because their opponents are performing their non-violent traditional customs which has absolutely nothing to do with them. It is time the Kusasi Youth abandon their banditry and terrorism and adopt non-violent means such as the courts for redress if they feel they don't trust the security agencies. Picking up arms to violently confront your opponents who are using non-violent means is an uncivilized technique which is not fit for this 21st century. 

We wish to commend the security services for dismantling the unapproved market/bus station which was put up by the Kusasis at the HighWays. It is very unbelievable that right-thinking persons would seek to turn this major road into a station for travel and market. Unbelievable as it may seem, we have not forgotten the impunity and emboldened nature with which Abugrago Aninchema told the municipal security council in the face that he sanctioned the set-up of that market/bus station and that it had come to stay (video evidence available). They can maintain their new market created behind the Daduri school but they should know and be warned that they do not have any right to force traders to their market or stop traders wishing to go to the Bawku Central Market for trade. 

Furthermore, we wish to call on the security agencies to move in and relocate the unapproved animal market put up close to the Bawku Secondary Technical school. 

We urge on Government to see reason and reassign the Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu because of his bias and complicity in this matter. The kusasis, have made false allegations that some of the military deployed to maintain peace and some of whom were wounded are Mamprusis and are up in arms that they be dismissed. Imagine the irony when they poo pooed our earlier call for the dismissal or reassignment of Stephen Yakubu. 

Government should discard its baseless position of a non-existent Supreme Court ruling on the Chieftaincy matter and then focus on solving the issues with pragmatic solutions that reflect the historical foundations of Bawku by setting up a committee of eminent chiefs akin to that of Dagbon to solve the chieftaincy dispute.

Government should review the curfew to include Pusiga, Binduri, and Garu districts since they've actively joined the conflict and are safer hideout 4 kusasis criminal bandits. 

The ban on motor riding should also be reviewed to include the above-mentioned districts.

Furthermore, we urge all political commentators to be circumspect in their commentaries and pronouncements as far as the Bawku conflict is concerned. They should always get their facts right before making comments that embolden bandits to perpetuate their banditry with impunity. 

The likes of the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ebenezer Kojo Kum and President of the Republic, Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo Addo should reflect and reconsider their erroneous earlier public pronouncements on the so-called supreme court ruling they claim brings finality to the Bawku Chieftaincy dispute. They should be circumspect when working with briefings they get from Stephen Yakubu whose bias and complicity in the Bawku conflict has been exposed. They will save themselves from such needless embarrassments and most importantly, they will save themselves from becoming conduits for the perpetuation of violence by the kusasis who are emboldened by such reckless statements.

And those who are using the Bawku conflict as political campaigns to win favours from politicians and government should desist from it. It brings nothing but insecurity, needless deaths and economic backwardness to the good people of Bawku. God fights the battles of those who are righteous and have the truth by their side. To these people, we remind them that the wrath of God will befall them. 

Finally, we wish to call on our youth to continue to be law-abiding, peaceful and maintain their non-violent nature. And we should welcome any mediation committee that's committed to finding a lasting solution to the chieftaincy dispute.

SIGNED 

President

Awudu Seidu 

(0243723085) 

Secretary 

Majeed Bagura

(0245283946) 

Assistant Secretary 

Marwan Badizasi 

(0547116714)

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