More security personnel have been deployed to the Bawku Municipality to curtail an escalation of a renewed inter-tribal conflict.
The deployment of the security personnel which compromise military and police officers to the area follows reports of sporadic gunshots in the Municipality which has led to the closure of schools in some parts as schools’ authorities and parents fear a possible escalation of the volatile situation.
The Ministry of Interior, on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, announced the imposition of a 14-hour curfew in the area as part of efforts to curtail the situation.
In addition, the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) also banned the wearing of smock in the Bawku township to prevent unscrupulous persons from hiding weapons used to attack residents in the traditional attire.
Tension in the Municipality, however, heightened following sporadic gunshots in the noon of Thursday, November 25, 2021. Some schools in the township were compelled to close down indefinitely as parents, out of panic, rushed to withdraw their wards from the schools.
Speaking to the media, Municipal Chief Executive of Bawku, Amadu Hamza indicated that the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) has identified flashpoints and would beef up security in such flashpoints and the entire Municipality to ensure that peace return to the area.
“With the number of security personnel that we have, as both in terms of military and in terms of police, wasn’t adequate enough so yesterday we took a decision to call for more security to come from Tamale and we also was able to contact the interior minister and the Defense Minister and then the Defense made sure there was a helicopter that brought some troops to Bawku.
So we have various positions that usually the combating takes place in those areas. We on our side together with the military intelligence have decided to station them in those flashpoints to be able to prevent the occurrence of violence,” he stated.
