Jirapa: Burkinabé arrested with a loaded firearm in a Catholic church

General News of Monday, June 3, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-06-03

Police officers posted from Ghana's borders to Burkina Faso in Hamile, in the Upper West region, on Sunday arrested a Burkinabé with a loaded handgun at Hamile Catholic Church.

The suspect, 55, was arrested around 8 am, after church members sounded the alarm about his suspicious behavior during a religious service.

This arrest comes against the backdrop of the growing threat of terrorist attacks in churches in the subregion.

Four people were killed during an attack on a Catholic church in northern Burkina Faso at the end of May. It was the latest in a series of badaults on Christian places of worship.

It is feared that such attacks will spread in northern Ghana, while some Burkinabés migrate to northern Ghana in search of refuge.

Richard Dapilah, head of the Judicial Police at the Jirapa Municipal Police Command, told Citi News that communities like Hamile were wary of terrorist threats that had followed recent trends.

"We have all placed them in high alert because of attacks in Burkina Faso and other Sahel countries," he said.

The crime agent noted that the suspect was under investigation and would be dealt with immediately by the court.

"During his interrogation, he told me that he had acquired [the gun] in Burkina Faso and licensed there. He showed us the documents. We currently hold him for possession of firearms without authorization. "

Security of the church

Fears of terror led police to even suggest banning bags from churches.

Police in the central region called on the clergy to consider banning the use of bags in churches to reduce the risk of attack.

Observers also urged churches to improve security in churches and worship centers in the face of possible terrorist attacks.

Security agencies in the country have met with leaders of the Christian community to discuss how to improve security in different churches as a result of concerns.