Ghana Armed Forces Step Up Security Operations in Bawku Following Renewed Gunfire
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have escalated military operations in Bawku and its surrounding areas amid a resurgence of ethnic clashes and gun violence, as part of a broader mandate to support civil authorities in restoring order in the restive northeastern town.
In a statement issued on Monday, the GAF confirmed that troops stationed at Binduri responded to sporadic gunfire in the early hours of the morning near the Binduri Central Market. The rapid response team, comprised of personnel from the 11 Mechanised Battalion and the Joint Task Force, supported by the Ghana Police Service, conducted cordon and search operations aimed at apprehending suspected gunmen.
The operation resulted in the arrest of one individual believed to be linked to the hostilities. A cache of weaponry was retrieved, including an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, an empty M16 magazine, 370 rounds of M16 and AK-47 ammunition, 128 rounds of G3 ammunition, as well as other combat-related items such as a machete, four fragmentation jackets, a helmet, and a pair of boots.
Later the same day, unidentified armed individuals reportedly attempted to infiltrate Binduri. Military patrol units engaged the gunmen in an exchange of fire, forcing them to retreat. No casualties have been reported, and the security situation has since stabilised.
“The situation is currently under control, and troops remain on high alert to respond to any emerging threats,” the GAF noted, reaffirming its commitment to working in close coordination with other security agencies to maintain peace in the conflict-prone region.
Bawku, located in Ghana’s Upper East Region, has long been plagued by communal tensions often fuelled by disputes over chieftaincy and land rights. The renewed violence underscores the ongoing challenge faced by the central government in securing the area and preventing further escalation.
Authorities have called on residents to cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to restore normalcy and forestall further outbreaks of violence.
