Gunmen Block Bolgatanga-Tamale Highway,  Eight Killed

In the latest escalation of the Bawku conflict, eight lives were lost when some gunmen blocked the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Gbimsi, a town near Walewale, and opened fire on travelers. The armed men believed to be connected with the protracted Bawku conflict, set up roadblocks in Gbimsi and Walewale on Sunday, targeting vehicles, forcibly stopping passengers, and subjecting them to identity checks.

Survivors described the horrific scene, as one witness recounted that his trip from Sunyani to Paga turned into a nightmare as he reached Walewale: "People had mounted roadblocks. They were searching for people to kill. This thing lasted for over an hour, and yet security did not respond." He said this to underscore the severity of the situation.

Besides the tragic loss of life, two vehicles also went up in the unthinkable danger and insecurity along the route. Several years of periodic flare-ups due to complex social, ethnic, and historical tensions have been responsible for the Bawku conflict. Since similar incidents were not reported over the past few months, the fresh outbreak of violence has once again raised fears of a rise in instability in the region.

It has, therefore, assured travelers of increased police presence along the Bolgatanga-Walewale-Tamale highway. The Police, in a statement copied to GhanaWeb, said in collaboration with the Military, it is working around the clock to normalize the situation in Bawku and its environs. Joint Police and Military deployments have been set up along the highway to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of travelers.

The Police Service, therefore, reiterated its commitment towards the restoration of peace and ensuring law and order in Bawku and its environs, calling for public calm as efforts towards the management of the situation are heightened. What is needed, as a matter of urgency, are long-term solutions aimed at addressing the issues driving the Bawku conflict, brought into sharp focus by the recent violence.