The Bimoba Students Union has lambasted the recent police operation carried out at Nakpanduri on October 27, 2010 in an attempt to arrest notorious armed robber Johnson Kombian.
The union described that exercise as a violation of the human rights of residents of Nakpanduri and hence called on right activists and government to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.
These among other concerns were captured in an eight page press statement read at a media briefing in Tamale the Northern Regional capital which also coincided with the Interior Minister, Martin Amidu’s visit to Nakpanduri on a fact finding mission.
The statement which was signed by Patrick Yenteeb, National President of the Bimoba Students Union condemned Superintendent Kwesi Ofori, Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service for justifying the swoop which he said was carried out to apprehend the notorious robber and his accomplices.
He asserted that Supt Ofori’s comment justified the alleged looting, burning of houses and molestation of residents of Nakpanduri and challenged the Police PRO to tell Ghanaians how many houses were burnt in Kumasi when a police man was recently killed there.
Patrick Yenteeb remarked that what happened in Nakpanduri amounted to an act of selective justice for which reason government should come out clear on the matter or lose its popularity in the area and the entire Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo Constituency.
He asked the police to leave residents of Nakpanduri and its environs in peace if they cannot arrest Johnson Kombian.
The Bimoba Students Union National President further urged government to set up a committee to investigate the matter and with immediate effect release all the suspects who were rounded up during the swoop and as well reconstruct the houses that were burnt.
Meanwhile, the Interior Minister, Mr. Martin Amidu has toured some of the 22 houses that were burnt during the exercise and consoled the affected persons with a promise that government would assist them.
He regretted that Johnson Kombian’s terrorist acts had led to the unfortunate incident and implored residents of Nakpanduri to cooperate with security operatives on the ground to flush out the notorious armed robber and his accomplices to enable law abiding citizens enjoy life in that area.
Mr. Amidu met with the chief of Nakpanduri where it was resolved that the traditional authority will liaise with security operatives on the ground to get rid of Johnson Kombian and his accomplices.
Available statistics collated by the District National Disaster Management Organization revealed that the properties that were destroyed were valued at GH¢ 96,560.00.
The NADMO reports also captured 242 persons as victims of that circumstance out of which 34 are men, 58 women and additional three pregnant women as well as 147 children who are currently out of school.
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