The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has responded to allegations of soldiers killing some individuals in Bawku and explained that the allegations are false.
A press statement issued on January 20, 2024, signed by Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations at the Ghana Armed Forces said “Reports from 11 Mechanised Battalion deployed in Bawku indicate that factions to the conflict appear to have resumed escalation of violence with fatal consequences.”
GAF therefore denies allegations of soldiers executing assailants.
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has pointed out with concern that these allegations by some individuals in Bawku and the media that soldiers deployed on Operation Maida Buuri to restore calmness in the area have killed 3 innocent Kusasi youth at Sabongari, a suburb of Bawku, must be ignored by all.
It is also alleged that the assailants were initially held in custody by own troops and subsequently executed.
It was further suggested that the Missiga Assemblyman personally approached the Bawku Detachment at about 19:30hrs to negotiate the release of the deceased assailants.
GAF wishes to categorically state that these allegations are false and unfounded.
Reports from the 11 Mechanised Battalion deployed in Bawku indicate that factions in the conflict appear to have resumed escalation of violence with fatal consequences.
The current streak of violence began on Friday 12 January 2024 at about 1455hrs with the murder of one Issah Halidu, a 40-year-old Mamprusi.
The deceased reportedly attempted rustling 4 cattle at Avengo, a Kusasi dominated settlement, but was pursued by unidentified gunmen and shot in the head and back. Troops dispatched to the scene retrieved two 7.62 x 39mm live rounds from the deceased’s pocket.
On the night of Friday 12 January and early hours of Saturday 13 January 2024, sporadic gunshots were heard at New Station, Daduuri and Maziama.
On Wednesday 17 January 2024, at about 13:20 hrs, unknown gunmen attacked members of the public behind Bawku Divisional Police Station killing 2 victims and injuring 4 others.
The deceased victims were of the Mamprusi and Moshie tribes while the other victims with various degrees of injuries were of Bissa, Busanga and Grushie descent.
On the same day, at about 20:00hrs, unknown assailants murdered one Azumah Alhassan, a 47-year-old Kusasi Professor at Sokabisi, Bolgatanga.
Furthermore, on Thursday 18 January 2024 at about 04:30hrs, unknown gunmen hiding in a valley fired at their own troops position at Avengo.
In another development, at about 05:30 hrs the same day, a Ghana Police patrol team spotted 2 locals attempting to light up a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb at a Goil Filling Station in Bawku.
The suspects fled upon sighting the patrol team leaving behind the bomb.
spawned sporadic gunshots at Bawku later at night.
Furthermore, on Thursday 18 January 2024 at about 04:30hrs, unknown gunmen hiding in a valley fired at their own troop’s position at Avengo.
In another development, at about 05:30 hrs same day, a Ghana Police patrol team spotted 2 locals attempting to light up an Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bomb at a Goil Filling Station in Bawku.
The suspects fled upon sighting the patrol team leaving behind the bomb.
