Regional News of Tuesday, 11 February 2003

Source: .

Gorilla Group Creates Panic In Tamale

A faceless group calling itself ''The Gorilla Group'' on Monday, created panic and fear in some residents of the Tamale municipality when they posted notices at some suburbs, calling on the people not to transact business at the markets.

The notice asked the people to ''stay away from all businesses in the Tamale market from February 10 to 12. It further waned that anybody who fails to comply with the order faces the wrath of the Gorilla Group''.

Nobody has claimed responsibility for the notices. There has also not been any arrest. According to the group, the threat is as a result of the current curfew in the Dagbon area that was imposed following the murder of the Ya Na at Yendi in March last year.

The group’s action is therefore seen as pressurizing the government to lift the curfew to ensure the free movement of goods and people. The curfew is from 10 pm to 4am.

The Tamale Municipal Security Committee has however allayed the fears of residents by calling on them to ignore the threats and conduct their businesses without fear of intimidation.

The committee in a statement signed by Tamale Municipal Chief Executive, Iddrisu Adam further appealed to members of the the general public who have information about the so-called Gorilla group to contact the nearest security agency.

Military personnel have also embarked on what they call ''Confidence Patrols'' through the principal streets of the municipality to re-assure the public of their safety.