Accra, July 7, GNA - Security agencies operating in Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region have arrested some suspected armed robbers during an operation on Tuesday night. The arrests followed an exchange of gun fire between the security personnel and the suspects.

A statement issued in Accra by the Minister of Information, Mr John Tia Akologu said some of the suspects were wearing military uniforms. "Following the interrogation of the suspects who have been arrested, the security agencies now have the identities of the other accomplices who managed to escape, and a manhunt for them has started within the Bawku area," the statement said.

The Minister assured the people of Bawku that they could go about their normal duties without fear because the security agencies had indicated their readiness to clamp down on trouble makers. He said the manhunt for other accomplices had nothing to do with the conflict that had plagued the Bawku area for sometime now, and encouraged the people to continue to provide information to the security agencies to guarantee their safety and security at all times. In another development, the Minister of the Interior has on the advice of the Upper East Regional Security Council, and by Executive Instrument, renewed for a week the curfew imposed on the Bawku Municipality and its environs.

A statement signed by Mr Martin A.B.K. Amidu said the curfew took effect from Wednesday, July 7, and the curfew hours remained from 1800hours to 0600 hours each day.