The Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has placed a ban on the picking of pillion riders on motorbikes by all male riders in selected conflict areas in the East Gonja, Nanumba North and Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo Districts.

The areas include Salaga, Kafaba and Kalanpor in the East Gonja District, Bimbilla and its surroundings in the Nanumba North District, and Nanjong N0. 1, Sayegu, Sambiruk, Bimbago and the surrounding communities of the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District.

These measures, which took effect from January 12, were announced in a statement issued by REGSEC in Tamale, signed by its Chairman, Mr Salifu Saeed, and copied to the Ghana News Agency in Tamale on Thursday.

The statement said the measures were to deal with the recent emerging security issues in the Region.

It said REGSEC noted in particular the recent gunning down of four persons around a market area at Najong No. 1 in the Bunkpurugu/Yunyoo District, the shooting of a traditional ruler at Salaga after he received an emergency call to see Kpembe-wura and the 11th January, 2018 night shooting incident in which three persons were shot dead, with eight injured around the hospital area at Bimbilla.

It said “In all of these incidents, the perpetrators were pillion riders on motorbikes. They were picked by their accomplices on those motorbikes carrying weapons. They fired into the crowds and committed that condemnable act.”

It said “therefore male motorbike riders are not allowed to pick other males as pillions riders on their motorbikes in those areas,” adding, offenders would be punished in accordance with the law.

The statement said “Additionally the curfew in the Bimbilla township and its environs has been reviewed from 10pm - 4am to 6pm to 6am effective January 11, 2018.”

It said “Furthermore, REGSEC has banned traditional drumming and dancing in the Bimbilla township until further notice.”

The statement warned that security agencies in the Region had resolved to deal drastically with any violations of the law irrespective of the background of any person or group that committed such act.