Tension is rising in Garu in the Upper East Region as irate youth demand the immediate release of eight of their colleagues arrested after a military raid.

The military is reported to have detained eight persons from Garu and Tempane after subjecting many of the youth to corporal punishments and assault over an alleged attack on their men on Sunday, October 29.

Read more: https://www.myjoyonline.com/more-men-flee-garu-township-following-military-attack/

The District Chief Executive of Garu, Osman Musa and Tempane DCE Issaka Anabide say the eight were selected out of 16 suspects after a screening, and later airlifted out of the area for further interrogation by the military unit.

According to sources, these persons are being held by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).

Meanwhile, the military in a press release has explained their actions.

According to them, the National Security Ministry had issued a statement indicating that their own officers have been the subject of attack and the youth had mobilised to attack police.

Also read: https://www.myjoyonline.com/national-security-ministry-addresses-alleged-brutality-in-garu-condemns-attack-on-officers/

Till today, the residents arrested have not been released which has angered the youth.

Addressing a press conference in a charged atmosphere, the youth of the two communities say the residents arrested have no crime record.

They threatened that public servants in the two communities would withdraw their services if their demands were not heeded.

This, they said would continue until the eight persons are released.

“They beat teachers, students, nurses, bankers, etc. Nobody was left out ...We are not going to take the laws into our own hands but we will not come out as workers in the town while we are being beaten, while our items are taken from us with our leaders in custody,” they said.

They also called for a full-scale investigation into the matter, adding that government and the Armed Forces should also render an unqualified apology for the brutality.

Also read: https://www.myjoyonline.com/minority-to-drag-national-security-minister-to-parliament-over-garu-military-brutality/

Meanwhile, Parliament has ordered the National Security Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah to appear before the House on Thursday to explain the alleged brutalization of civilians in Garu.