By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
About 50 suspected criminals have been arrested following a swoop by the Northern Regional Police Command at the Aboabo forest in Tamale. The Police also burnt down about 100 camps believed to be the hideout for some of the criminals. The suspected criminals were arrested at different places within the forest close to the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium.
The Police retrieved substances suspected to be Indian hemp, cough syrups, cutlasses, knives, motorbikes and plastic chairs among others in the swoop.
Briefing journalists after the exercise, the Northern Regional Crime Officer, Superintendent Bernard Baba Ananga, said criminals have taken over the forest and it is increasingly becoming a no go area for people, therefore the exercise was to flush them out of the forest. He disclosed that a wanted criminal from Bolgatanga was recently arrested at the forest and handed over to the Police which necessitated the action by the Regional Police Commander.
Superintendent Ananga indicated that the suspected criminals will be screened and those found culpable will be processed for Court.
He said intelligence has also revealed that prostitution is gradually gaining grounds in the forest as shelters are being used as brothels. He said the exercise will be sustained to rid the forest reserve of criminals and their activities.