By Sylvester Alhaji Massaquoi in Pujehun
The business community in Pujehun town is outraged over the growing rate of criminality in the township and the effect that is having on their businesses. According to the statistics provided by the crime officer at the Pujehun police station, the community has experienced a sharp increase in crime in recent months compared to the previous year with reports of burglary and violent robbery increasing.
A prominent trader in the town told Politico that “the criminals are becoming bolder and more audacious by the day”. Soko Tarawally whose shop was attacked in the early hours of Saturday, the 6th of August 2023 at Stooke Road in Pujehun town said almost all his goods were carted away. He said “This is the fifth time such has occurred to me, but this is the worst of all. They went away with sixty (60) bags of cement, four solar panels, tiles, a power saw, gallons of paint, and other items to a total value of NLe 320,000. My shop is only 200 yards from the police station”.
Other traders who spoke to Politico said the criminals take advantage of the small number of police personnel in the township to attack businesses. Daniel Quee, a popular trader in Pujehun said criminal activities have increased during the rains and that because the police are not properly investigating and prosecuting the criminals they arrest, “they have emboldened the small number of criminals in the district.
John Sheku Rogers, commonly called Obama said “Thieves have made several attempts to attack my business but have never succeeded because I have people who stay awake at night but the truth is we are afraid of bringing certain types of goods to this town because we don't want to wake up one morning and see all that we have labored for gone”.
The chairman of civil society organizations in Pujehun district said there has been an increase in general lawlessness after the elections last June, saying most of the perpetrators are between the ages of 15 to 35.
Ibrahim Borgiwa Swaray “Some community people are conniving with the criminals and they are running a syndicate to destroy the image of this district”. The CSO chairman said they are working closely with the security sector to fight criminality and general lawlessness in Pujehun. He said: “There is a need for us all to come together for the protection of our lives and properties. I have engaged the Local Unit Commander, the Commanding Officer of the 14 Infantry Battalion, and some stakeholders to form some vigilante groups to help the security sector, particularly at night”.
The Crime Officer at the Pujehun Police Division said since he arrived at the station two months ago they’ve been dealing with only misdemeanors but that now they are handling a case of shop breaking and larceny which occurred on the 6th of August. He said two suspects are now in custody helping with investigations.
Detective Inspector Andrew Musa Kpaka urged community people to be “watchdogs” and provide the police with information as they carry out their duties of protecting life and property.
Politico understands that the Pujehun District Council is looking into the concerns expressed by the traders and that a meeting has been scheduled for the traders, civil society organizations, and local government officials to address the issue.
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