Three suspected armed robbers arrested on Tamale-Fulfulso road

Three suspected armed robbers arrested on Tamale-Fulfulso road

The 'Operation Calm Life' high way patrol team plying the Sawla-Damongo-Fulfulso has arrested three suspected armed robbers on the Tamale-Fulfulso road Sunday afternoon.

The robbers were arrested few miles away from Janikura in the Central Gonja District of the Northern region after they attempted to escape from police raid.

The robbers; Galadima Umar,Adam Ibrahim and Madam Umar, all in their 30's and identified to be Fulanis,were spotted on motorcycles by the patrol team around Junction.One of them was holding an AK-47 rifle and when the police attempted to stop them, they fled off on their motorcycles towards Busunu along the Tamale-Damongo road.

The patrol team pursued them in a 'wild race and finally apprehended them some few miles away from Janikura,a community were most the robbery cases have been recorded in recent times.

The robber wielding the AK-47 riffle allegedly threw it into a near by bush whilst they were being pursued by the police before the apprehension.

The robbers believed to be having other accomplices are currently in police custody at the West Gonja Police Command assisting the police with investigation.

Information gathered by the Northern regional correspondent of Ghanaweb from the PR  Department of the Northern Regional Police Command   indicates that, further inquiry is to be conducted into the matter.

Ever since the arrest of the culprits which has since become topical on the only local radio station in the District,Radio PAD,not only have residents gathered at the police station to catch a glimpse of the suspects but have taken keen interest in the case.

Many have called for an immediate execution of the culprits if found guilty to serve as a deterrent to others.They said the armed robbers have tormented their lives for far too long,considering the many recorded cases of armed robbery within the area in recent times leading to untimely lost of lives and properties."Enough is enough,"in the lamentations of many.

Following the upsurge in armed robbery cases, the West Gonja District Assembly had adopted a number of measures to clampdown on the menace.
At the just ended second ordinary meeting of the assembly,the DCE, hon.Saaed Muhazu Jibreal disclosed that,about five people(traders) were injured through gun shots by robbers and one of them, a 21-year old female student died as a result.The incident he said occurred between Janikura and Kojope on Monday 27th August,2018, at about 6:00pm when the traders were returning from Buipe market.

After a series of DISEC meeting, they had agreed to reposition the patrol team along the Busunu-Kojope stretch of the road and to give escort to vehicles from Sori number 2 and Sawla on Market days.

Among other things, the Executive Committee had recommended that management should support the police to deal with all reckless riders of motorbikes in the District and that an interface meeting between Fulani herds, Chiefs, Crop Farmers, Livestock Farmers  and Cattle Owners on the effects of cattle destruction on crops should be held.

Most of the armed robbery cases are noted to occur on market days in areas such as Sori number 1&2 along the Buipe road,Sawla road and Janikura along the Damongo-Tamale road.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

N/R: 21-yr-old Basintale emerges youngest NDC regional executive

N/R: 21-yr-old Basintale emerges youngest NDC regional executive

A 21-year old graduate of the University of Ghana has emerged as the youngest Northern regional executive of the opposition National Democratic congress after a keenly contested race in Saturday's Regional Delegate Congress which took place at the Aliu Mahama sports stadium.

Malik S. Basintale,21, at the end of the congress was elected the Deputy Communication Officer after he obtained a total of 270 votes representing 36.4% of the valid votes cast to beat his close contender,Issah Salifu who polled 252 votes representing 25%...Baba I. Musah placed third with a total of 221 votes representing 22% whilst Viel Godsennor came fourth with a total of 140 votes representing 14%.

The election also saw Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila Abdulai being elected the Northern Regional chairman of the party.

Speaking with Ghanaweb's Ananpansah B Abraham after the victory, Basintale expressed complete joy for the confidence reposed in him by the delegates.He said his ultimate goal was to reclaim the lost thumbs of the party through effective communication and ensure victory for the party come 2020, adding that,the NDC as a family cannot afford to fail the masses moving into the 2020 general election.

Brief profile of Malik Basintale:

Malik S. Basintale had his basic eduction at the Tamale International School. He was nominated for the presidential award in 2011 after he performed creditably well in the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).He proceeded to Prempeh College in Kumasi from 2011 to 2014 for his secondary education from where he gained admission into the University of Ghana and pursued Business Administration with a major in Banking and Finance.
 
He has served in diverse leadership positions including University of Ghana(UG),TEIN,UG Parliament house and the SRC board of the University of Ghana.

The other elected executives are:

Alhaji Hassan Rufai Ahmed Veilim;Vice Chairman elect,Salisu Be-Awurbe;Secretary elect,Ziblim Saaka; Deputy Secretary elect,Abdallah A.Baba Zee; Organizer elect,Zakaria  Majeed; Deputy Organizer elect, Kassim Bakari Ali; Treasure elect,Hajia Shamima Razak; Deputy Treasurer elect,Abdul Mumin Alhassan; Communication officer elect and Hajia Jamilatu Amadu;Zongo Caucus Coordinator elect.

The special Congress for youth Organizer and women Organizer positions took place on Friday and saw Alhaji Inusah Mahama polling 66 votes out of a total of 113 votes to win the position of youth organizer,whilst Mumin Believer Ukpalimor obtained 35 votes to win the position of deputy youth organizer.

The newly elected executives are expected to steer the affairs of the party in the region for the next four years.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila elected NDC Northern regional chairman

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila elected NDC Northern regional chairman

Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila Abdulai has been elected the chairman of the National Democratic Congress for the Northern region after a keenly contested race in Saturday's Regional Delegate Congress at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.

He polled a total of 493 votes representing 48.6% of the total valid votes cast to beat his close contender,Godfred Apatsinaba Wumber who obtained 397 votes representing 39.1%.The rest are:Hon.Bakari Moses Mabengba; 52 votes representing 5.1%, Alhaji Osman Musah;26 votes representing 2.6%,Alhaji Umar Faruk; 8 votes representing 0.8% and Alhaji Mohammed Sumani Zakaria; 3 votes representing 0.3%.

A total of 1019 delegates from all the 31 constituencies in the region were cleared to vote in the election,out of which,1015 valid votes were recorded at the end of Congress with 71 candidates vying for 15 regional positions.

The rest of the positions and the votes obtained by individual candidates are as follows;

Treasurer:

Kassim Bakari Ali;485 votes representing 48%.
Mohammed Abdul Mumin; 155 votes representing  15.3%.
Abu Mohammed Hafiz; 270 votes representing 27%.
Alhaji Bashir Ibrahim;76 votes representing 8%.

Deputy Treasurer:

Mahama Janda Tanko; 84 votes representing 8.3%.
Sulemana Halid  Sub chief; 85 votes representing 8.4%.
Hajia Shamima Razak;751 votes representing 74%.
Mohammed Al hassan Akwa; 64 votes representing 6.3%.

Communication Officer:

Yahaya Seidu; 163 votes representing  (16.1%.
Abdul Mumin Alhassan;604 votes representing 60%.
Sulemana Mohammed Yaalana;214 votes representing 21.1%.

Deputy Communication Officer:

Viel Godsennor; 140 votes representing 14%.
Malik Sidiwaya Basintale; 370 votes representing 36.4%.
Baba I. Musah; 221 votes representing 22%.
Issah Salifu; 252 votes representing 25%.

Organizer:

Abdallah A. Baba Zee; 497 votes representing  49%.
Habib Mohammed Tahiru Veron; 259 votes representing 26%.
Abukari Abdul Mumin; 110 votes representing 11%.
Iddrisu Hardi Pagazaa ; 115 votes representing 11.3%.

Deputy Organizer:

Alhaji Abdul Rauf  Abukari; 216 votes representing  21.3%.
Fuseini Nuhu; 170 votes representing 17%.
Fahad Yakubu; 178 votes representing 18%.
Alhaji Haruna Issahaku; 86 votes representing 8.4%.
Zakaria Majeed; 333 votes representing 33%.

Zongo Caucus Coordinator:

Issahaku Umar Bande; 198 votes representing 20%.
Hajia  Jamilatu Amadu; 251 votes representing 25%.
Mohammed  Sulemana; 118 votes representing 12%.
Alhaji Sakibu Wakaso; 58 votes representing 6%.
Papa Yawson; 39 votes representing  4%.
Thomas Ade; 67 votes representing 7%.
Mohammed Tauphick Jinkanyess; 47 votes representing 5%.
Alhaji A bass Ibrahim; 202 votes representing  20%.

Secretary:

Salisu  Be Awurebe; 482 votes representing 47.5%.
Alhaji Imoro Issifu Alhassan; 50 votes representing 5%.
Mohammed Abdul Salam; 449 votes representing 44.2%.

Deputy Secretary:

Ziblim Saaka; 535 votes representing (53%).
Mohammed Awudu S. Zacious; 449 votes representing 44.2%.

Vice chairman:

Alhaji Hassan Rufai Ahmed Veilim; 431 votes representing 42.3%.
Hon. Ali Adolf John; 230 votes representing  23%.
Hajia Hawawu Boya  Gariba; 142 votes representing 14%.
Alhaji Issaka Bawah; 122 votes representing 12%.
Alhaji Yushaw Yakubu; 51 votes representing 5%.

Total valid votes cast:1015.

The special Congress for youth Organizer and women Organizer positions took place on Friday and saw Alhaji Inusah Mahama polling 66 votes out of a total of 113 votes to win the position of youth organizer,whilst Mumin Believer Ukpalimor obtained 35 votes to win the position of deputy youth organizer.

The newly elected executives led by chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Mobila who takes over from Chief Sofo Azorka are expected to steer the affairs of the party in the region for the next four years.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

Explosion: 42-yr-old farmer,wife and three children burnt in flamed petrol

Explosion: 42-yr-old farmer,wife and three children burnt in flamed petrol

A 42-year-old farmer,Alhassan Musah,his wife and their three children are currently in a critical condition at the West Gonja Catholic hospital in the Northern region of Ghana after they got burnt in flamed petrol.

The incident happened in Kotito Number II, a small farming community in Damongo in the West Gonja District of Northern region Monday morning.

Musah Alhassan, identified to be a branch youth organiser of the opposition National Democratic Congress in Kotito Number II, aside farming,retails petrol to community members.

He usually buys the petrol in drums from Buipe in the Central Gonja District and retails to customers in a bid to put body and soul together.

Luck however eluded Alhassan Musah and his family when a lit pot of charcoal flamed uncontrollably.The situation aggravated when spilled petrol inundated the entire room and the fire spread throughout the room,worsening the situation.

Narrating the incident,an eyewitness disclosed that,it all started when Alhassan Suraya,12-year old daughter of Alhassan Musah who was involved in a motor accident the preceding day to the unfortunate event complained of severe cold at around 3:00am.

The mother of little Suraya,30-year-old Sala Alhassan was compelled to set fire that night in a coal pot to palliate the cold of her daughter.She decided to pour some petrol onto the charcoal from a gallon and struck a match to lit the fire.It skipped madam Sala to close the gallon containing the fuel which was just few meters away from the lit fire in the coal pot.

At this time,the entire family,aside Sala and her daughter were fast asleep.The lit fire gradually 'travelled' to the gallon unknown to Sala and out of dread she attempted to throw the flamed gallon outside the room, but unfortunately ended up closing the door.

The petrol inundated the entire room and the fire flamed uncontrollably...There was no escape route for the family of five as the closed door was flaming as well.It took the prompt intervention of neighbours to demolish part of the room to rescue the victims.Properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis got burnt in the process.

None of the family members escaped the fate, as all five, got severely burnt in the flamed petrol and rushed to the West Gonja hospital.

The man and his wife who are worst hit by the incident,have been referred to the Tamale Teaching hospital after hospital staff handling the cases indicated that their situation was beyond the hospital's management.

Mr.Alhassan Braimah,who is in charge of the Emmergency Unit at the hospital confirmed the Incident to Ghanwebs' Ananpansah B Abraham,stating that,the three children(Mohammed Alhassan-16, Alhassan Suraya-12 and Samed Suraya-8) would however be on admission at the West Gonja hospital.

He said they have placed a request for ambulance support from Sawla to assist in conveying the victims to the Tamale Teaching hospital, since the hospital has only one ambulance which could not serve the purpose.

He disclosed that,the initial cost of treating the five patients, including the ambulance fee stands at Ghc2,500.00.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham(AB)//ghanaweb.com

21-year-old student dead after being shot in the abdomen by armed robbers

21-year-old student dead after being shot in the abdomen by armed robbers

It can be reported that,21-year-old Mohammed Talhatu who was battling for her life at the West Gonja Catholic hospital after being shot in the abdomen by armed robbers has passed on to glory.

Talhatu,a second year student of Bole Secondary School in the Bole District of the Northern region of Ghana was shot in the abdomen and had her liver and intestines badly destroyed, after some unknown gunmen besieged sections of the Sawla-Fulfulso-Tamale road and attacked passengers.

The incident occurred at Janukura along the Sawla-Fulfulso road in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region of Ghana at about 7:00pm,after the robbers blocked about 11 buses from moving.

They shot sporadically at the buses in an attempt to stop movement injuring five people on the spot and made away with valuable properties of victims,an eye witness has said.

The driver of a Kia Rhino truck carrying passengers from Buipe market was shot on the arm after he attempted to swerve the robbers.

The robbers however fled before the police and community members could arrive at the scene.

Little Talhatu was rushed to the West Gonja Catholic hospital where she was receiving critical care until her death.

Doctors and nurses of the hospital tried in vain to rescue her life.The public also responded promptly to calls to donate blood to save her life.

Talhatu finally gave up the ghost Tuesday morning at the West Gonja hospital.Her mortal remains has since been moved to Busunu her home town for burial.

The "Operation Calm Life" SWAT team is currently under intense public criticism as to the kind of lives the team was actually calming.
Many out of anger are calling for the dissolution of the body.

It is a very sad moment for the people of Busunu and Northern region at large as Talhatu finally  meets her creator.

The wrath of God and the soul of this innocent girl will surely descend heavily on the perpetrators of this dastardly act, some have started cursing the wind as they lament.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

5 shot as robbers attack passengers on Sawla-Fulfulso-Tamale road

5 shot as robbers attack passengers on Sawla-Fulfulso-Tamale road

At least, five(5) people have been shot after unknown gunmen,numbering six besieged sections of the Sawla-Fulfulso-Tamale road Monday night.

The incident occurred at Janukura along the Sawla-Fulfulso road in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region of Ghana at about 7:00pm,after the robbers blocked about 11 buses from moving.

They shot sporadically at the buses in an attempt to stop movement injuring five people on the spot and made away with valuable properties of victims,an eye witness has said.

The driver of a Kia Rhino track carrying passengers from Buipe market was shot on the arm when he attempted to swerve the robbers.

The robbers however fled before the police and community members could arrive at the scene.

The injured persons are currently receiving treatment at various health facilities in the region.

Three are currently on admission at the Tamale Teaching hospital, one is at the Busunu clinic and the firth person is at the West Gonja Catholic hospital in Damongo.

Checks by Ghanaweb's Northern Regional Bureau Chief Ananpansah B Abraham,at the West Gonja hospital reveals that,Doctors and Nurses are currently battling to save the life of 21-year old Mohammed Talhatu, one of the victims,after she was shot in the abdomen destroying her liver and intestines.

The hospital has since placed an immediate appeal to the general public to donate blood to help rescue her life. About five pints have been collected already, but that is not enough considering the situation at hand.

The DCE of West Gonja District, hon.Saaed Jibreal,has appealed to the communities around the 'scene of happening' to assist the police with relevant information that will lead to the arrest of the culprits,especially by reporting suspicious persons to the appropriate quarters.

The patrol team he said,were trying their best but have a very vast area to contend with...The Patrol area of the team spanning from Sawla to Fulfulso is about 149 km, which is too much for one patrol team.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)

West Gonja DCE extends electricity to communities,hints of 120-seater multipurpose library

West Gonja DCE extends electricity to communities,hints of 120-seater multipurpose library

The District Chief Executive(DCE) of West Gonja District in the Northern Region of Ghana,hon. Saeed Muhazu Jibreal has said that his office has procured 300 poles to extend electricity to some communities in the District.
The beneficiary communities include:Busunu,Laribanga, Sabon Zongo and Abinga Kura.

Speaking with PAD FM's Ananpansah B Abraham,host of a weekly political analysis programme,'Within the issues' Saturday morning,the DCE disclosed that the extension exercise has become necessary due to the many concerns he received from these communities,since assuming office,adding that,the situation of six houses connected to one metre was not pleasant.

The contract which is fully funded from the District Development Fund(DDF) he disclosed,comes in two parts,thus:the supply of electricity poles and stringing of the cables for people to be able to easily tap electricity into their homes.
The poles would be mounted up to points where individuals can easily tap into their homes,instead of going to buy the electricity poles on their own which can be expensive.

"...So,the contract is in two parts; supply of electricity poles and also,stringing of the cables for people to be able to receive their electricity.Then also,we also looking at how other people,because the money is soo small,we can't string the whole town or areas that we have agreed on to string.So,what we are going to do is that,We are going to mount or put up the poles up to points where transformers or the citizens can easily tap the power on their own,instead of going to buy the poles.You know the poles have become expensive...So what we are going to do is that, we are going to mount those poles,so individuals can easily buy cables in connection with the VRA so that they can get lights into their areas,"he said.

In responding to a question from the host,as to whether areas in Canteen Electoral Area,specifically Sabon Zongo and St.Anne's  were captured,he said some parts of Canteen were due to benefit from the extension exercise.

He revealed that,the reason why the Busunu police station got burnt was due to lack of electricity to the facility,and so the police refused to occupy the building,stating that,electricity would be extended to the facility so Busunu can have a police station on their own.For Laribanga,the extension would be targeted at the new settlements and the area council which is not connected to the national grid.

He brought to bare the unwillingness of the VRA workers to mount some of the electricity poles in the District when there is a problem because, the poles are substandard and could easily break.These poles he said,were procured under previous regimes and are not too good and so,VRA has refrained from touching those poles anytime there is a problem.About 200 of such poles have been counted and 100 will be replaced for a start.

The next under DDF projects he disclosed,are still the electrification and the construction of a library.The library he said,is going to be a multipurpose library of 120-seater capacity with an office of about 20 computers to be located around the GES District office hopefully...
The existing District library due to its remote location receives very low patronage.

Panelist on the programme agreed unanimously with the host that,there should be considerations to connect all the computers to Internet service so as to enhance research work.

Source:Ananpansah B Abraham (AB)