Police at Bawku in the Upper East Region are hunting for leaders of angry youth who vandalised property including the armoury of the police station.

Three persons sustained injuries after a clash between the police and angry youth.

The District Chief Executive for Bawku Issalka Bukari confirmed to Joy News that the clash was caused by misunderstanding between some clerics and policemen.

Prior to the clashes, the police had picked up a certain Mallam who had been using some children to go begging for alms in the streets. He had also been teaching them Arabic.

The police had advised him to stop sending the children to go begging because some of the kids go about stealing people's items. But after the Mallam persisted in using the kids, he was arrested. They were later released.

People from the area who were angered by the arrest stormed the police station and vandalized police vehicles as well as the door to the armoury.

The policemen fired warning shots to desperse the angry youth.  

In the ensuing struggle three people are said to have gotten injured. It has not been confirmed whether the injuries were caused by bullet wounds.

Divisional Police Commander Chief Supt. Tefutor Kalesti told Joy News there is a search for the leaders of the group.

“We are investigating to make sure that the leaders are picked,” he stressed.

He said the police station was left with a “skeletal staff”, when the incident occurred indicating why none of the youth was arrested. He also added that Bawku has been peaceful for some time now and for that reason, the police decided to “step down most of operational issues”.

Meanwhile, District Chief Executive for Bawku Issalka Bukari tells Joy News calm has returned to the area.