Mamprusis living in Bawku in the Upper East Region have been asked to take steps to protect themselves and not expect total protection from the security services.

An opinion leader Mohammed Tahidu says the Mamprusis can form vigilante groups to interrogate suspicious perons in their neighbourhoods devoid attacks.

His comments follow reports of the killing of two persons over the week-end by gun men.

The suspects are still on the run.

Tahidu told Citi News Mamprusis are now apprehensive and living in fear because they do not know who the next victim will be.

According to him, the security forces have no clue at all what is happening in Bawku, adding "we cannot put our lives in the hands of the security personnel."

Bawku has been a harbinger of conflict between two ethnic groups- the Mamprusis and the Kusasis- with some political undertones as well.

Even though the area has experienced relative peace in the last few years, the recent killings of two persons over the weekend have sent tensions rising again.

Security officials have intensified street patrols to ensure peace, law and order.