Police and Military personnel in the volatile Bawku Municipality have begun an exercise to disarm residents who still have arms in their possession.

The security apparatus have often appealed to residents to voluntarily surrender their weapons for rewards, but the request is often ignored as people continue to commit atrocities with their weapons.

It is against this backdrop that the security apparatus has found it appropriate to undertake the exercise.

Meanwhile, a Mamprusi Youth group, the Concerned Youth of Bawku’ claims the Military and Police barriers have been mounted only in Mamprusi-populated areas to search for illegal weapons.

Rival Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups have fought in recurring conflicts in which several lives and property have been destroyed.

A restrictive curfew was recently relaxed to only seven hours daily.

Spokesperson for the Mamprusi group, Muhammed Iddris told Citi News the Military and the Police were being bias. He alleged that the security forces have sinister motives against the Mamprusis.

He said there are about 750 Soldiers and over 150 Police officers in the conflict-prone area only to disarm the Mamprusis.

But the Bawku Divisional Police Commander, Chief Supt. Kweku Boadu Peprah said there was indeed heavy Military and Police presence in the area but would not disclose the number.

He said the search for illegal arms is taking place in both Mamprusi and Kusasi sides.

He denied allegations that the security services are scheming to disarm the Mamprusis so the Kusasis could launch attacks on them.