Bawku Conflict: Police Ban Personnel Movement in Bawku, Pusiga, and Binduri Following Targeted Killings
The police administration has noticed a worrying trend in the wake of the recent murders of two police officers in the Upper East Region near Binduri in which police officers and their families are being singled out for possible attacks and assassinations in the Bawku, Pusiga, and Binduri areas. The travel of police officers and their families in certain locations is therefore immediately prohibited by the police administration. It is recommended that officials, both native and foreign, avoid visiting Bawku, Pusiga, and Binduri.
It is recommended that all police officers wear their uniforms when traveling, with the exception of those on active tasks who must wear PPE and move under armored escort.
A wireless message, spotted by BigFamily News, indicates a surge in violence in , with police personnel now specifically targeted. The message warns of a “dangerous development” where personnel and their relatives have become targets of unknown attackers and is to be treated as urgent.
This development aligns with the assessment of security consultant Prof Kwesi Aning, who argues that the ongoing conflict in Bawku has evolved beyond simple ethnic tensions and chieftaincy disputes, now being fueled primarily by organized crime and transnational networks. He stated that criminal networks exploit existing ethnic tensions and traditional authority to achieve their own goals.
The Bawku Conflict
The conflict in Bawku is a longstanding issue rooted in historical tensions, competition over resources, and political rivalries between the Kusasis and Mamprusis ethnic groups. While clashes have occurred unpredictably over time, the conflict intensified in the 1990s due to political reasons, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) exacerbating prevailing ethnic tensions. Violent clashes, armed attacks, arson, and revenge killings have characterized the conflict, involving vigilante youth groups such as the Kusasi Youth Association (KYA) and the Mamprusi Youth Association (MAYA).
Related Stories
8 Travelers Killed In Bawku Conflict-Linked Attack
Interior Ministry Imposes Weapons Ban In Bawku
Bawku Conflict Is Now An Organized Crime, Not Just Ethnic Tension – Security Analyst
