Police Officers stationed in Bawku have called upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno to withdraw them from the town.
According to the police officers, violence in Bawku keeps escalating, hence their call on the IGP to withdraw them as their lives are at risk.
In a series of voice notes shared by some police officers in the area which have found their way to X, one could here the sounds of rapid gunfire as the officers sought for cover in doors.
“They are firing guns now. There are no lights and they are shooting all around,” a police woman was heard saying.
A police man was also heard saying, “charley, we are not safe. They’ve switched off lights here and they are firing guns sporadically.”
There has been an escalation of violence following the resurgence of a long-standing chieftaincy conflict, sparked by the return of rival chief Alhaji Seidu Abagre from exile.
Abagre fled Bawku after an arrest warrant was issued against him following his contested installation as chief in Nalerigu, a High Court ruling in Kumasi on October 17, 2024, nullified the warrant, allowing him to resurface.
The Ghanaian government has taken steps to resolve the conflict but it still persists.
This recent violence comes a few days after the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno visited Bawku.
During the visit, the IGP appealed for stronger collaboration between traditional leadership and security agencies to restore peace in the area.
Prior to the IGP’s visit, President John Dramani Mahama assured Ghanaians that the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II mediation process will deliver lasting peace in Bawku.
President Mahama at the Graduation Parade of the Ghana Military Academy revealed that the Otumfuo has assured him the mediation process will resume next week when he returns from his brief visit abroad.
John Mahama further condemned the recent renewed violence in Bawku and stated nobody gains from the conflict and insecurities.
Speaking at the Graduation Parade of the Ghana Military Academy on Friday, April 11, 2025, President Mahama detailed, “The Ghana Armed Forces is engaged in several threats to maintain peace and security in our nation. One major flash point is the Bawku area. Only two days ago, a situation that took place in the market triggered an unfortunate loss of life and criminal vandalism of property. I wish to emphasise that nobody gains from this conflict and insecurities”.
“We have triggered the Otumfuo mediation process, which has all the stakeholders to ensure a roadmap towards peace. I am assured by the Asantehene that the process will resume next week when he returns from his brief visit abroad,” he stated.
Watch video:
Police officers stationed in Bawku are reportedly gripped with fear and are calling on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to withdraw them from the area, citing escalating safety concerns, as intense gunfire rang out last night despite the brutal k!lling of two police… pic.twitter.com/91IZjC07AD
— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) April 14, 2025
