The Police and Military in the Upper West Region have rounded up 17 suspected ringleaders and leaders of both the Orthodox and Al-Sunna Muslim Sects at Lawra. This follows a clash between the two Sects for allegedly casting insinuations at each other during their Ramadan preaching session last Saturday, November 15.

Briefing newsmen at Wa on the situation, Mr George Ankobil, Deputy Regional Police Commander, said earlier on February 11 a group of youth from the Orthodox Sect attacked and destroyed a temporary structure used as a mosque by the Al-Sunna in the town. Those arrested included Alhaji Umar Karbo, 59, and Alhassan Mohammed Shaban 26,both of the Orthodox Sect and Alhaji Tijani Abubakari, 60, and Alhaji Abass Seidu, 34 of Al-Sunna Sect.

The Deputy Regional Police Commander said a Wa Circuit Court on Monday remanded all the 17 persons arrested in custody to reappear on November 24. They were charged with offensive conduct likely to breach the peace. Chief Superintendent Ankobil said security had been beefed up with the despatch of Police reinforcement to the town. He said one puzzling aspect about those arrested from the Orthodox Ssect was on Dabuo Kuufana, a Traditionalist, who was caught destroying the Al-Sunna Mosque with a cutlass in February.

A Christian was also among those arrested on the Orthodox side and because of this scenario; the Police Officer said he suspected that the reasons for the disturbances went beyond religion.