Curfew, Military Deployed in Bawku, Nalerigu After Killings
Government imposed a curfew from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in Nalerigu and Bawku, effective July 27, 2025, to curb escalating violence linked to the Bawku chieftaincy conflict. The curfew, announced by Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak on advice from the North East Regional Security Council, aims to restore peace and facilitate student evacuations.
On July 26, unidentified gunmen killed three students—Gideon and Lukman at Nalerigu SHS and Mohammed Imoro Hakim at Bawku SHS—prompting the closure of Bawku SHS and urgent evacuations. The government, via Felix Kwakye Ofosu, shifted to “peace enforcement,” deploying the Ghana Armed Forces to maintain order, with a ban on weapons possession.
The evacuation targets students in high-risk schools, as some have been deliberately targeted, per Felix Kwakye Ofosu’s July 27 statement. The conflict, rooted in Kusasi-Mamprusi chieftaincy disputes, has claimed over 260 lives since 2021, worsened by arms proliferation near Burkina Faso. Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II’s mediation efforts face setbacks.
Security forces are intensifying investigations, with public calls for calm from chiefs and elders. The Ghana Journalists Association urged journalists to prioritize safety during coverage. The government’s actions aim to protect lives and stabilize the region, though concerns persist about long-term peace.