The Chief of Buipe, Abdulai Jinapor II, has asked the Police Service in the Central Gonja District to treat vandalism as a crime.

According to him, many people under the guise of tradition destroy the property of residents which he believes should not go unpunished.

“I will however call on the Security agencies to ensure that criminal activities are obsolete from traditional matters and whoever is found capable in this heinous crime (burning of five bedrooms)  and association should face the full rigors of the law," he said.

Buipewura’s charge comes in the wake of the recent disturbances in the community resulting in the distraction of some properties.

The chief said he was determined to maintain the peace in the community hence he will resist such activities.

“I'm well aware that some disgruntled elements are determined to derail the Peace process and are determined to fomite trouble in Buipe. I Buipewura Jinapore II will not allow that to happen," he said.

He expressed surprise that the youth spearheaded the vandalism.

“It came to me as a big shock to hear that some members of the youth group in converse with non-indigenes went on vandalism sheer destroying and setting houses of people of Fulani association on fire,” he said.

On Monday morning, January 16, some unidentified persons invaded the home of a former Leader of the Fulani Community of Mande, Ibrahim Musah Bure at Buipe.

They burnt to the ground his five-bedroom house and demolished a two-bedroom house.

Sources say, the target, Mr Bure, was not home at the time of the attacks but his family who were present had to flee for their lives.

Fortunately, no death was recorded.

Meanwhile, Police in Buipe on Monday arrested seven male suspects.

Earlier this morning, police sources say two more suspects who were attempting to escape the town were apprehended around Kintampo in the Bono East Region.

The suspects have since been moved to Tamale.