Authorities have shut down Bawku Senior High School following the brutal killing of a third-year student by unidentified armed men on campus, intensifying national concern over the growing insecurity in the Bawku area.
The government has since deployed the Ghana Armed Forces to enforce order, as a renewed curfew takes effect in response to the spiralling violence.
The deceased, Hakim Kundima, was attacked and shot on Saturday evening after armed men reportedly invaded the school premises, dragged him from the dormitory, and executed him. The incident closely mirrored a deadly attack the same evening at Nalerigu Senior High School in the Northern Region, where two students—Lukman and Gideon—were killed in similar fashion.
Following the killing at Bawku SHS, the Municipal Education Directorate ordered the immediate closure of the school, citing threats to student and staff safety. The Ghana Education Service has begun coordinating the evacuation of students from conflict-prone zones, particularly final-year students preparing for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).
In Nalerigu, the fatal shooting of two male students by unknown gunmen on the evening of July 26 prompted shock and mourning across the community. According to local reports, the attackers stormed the school’s dormitory before opening fire on the victims. Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area and uncle to one of the slain students, Dasmani Fuseini, confirmed the tragedy to the press.
The bodies of the Nalerigu SHS students remain in police custody as their families work to retrieve them for burial. Police investigations are underway, with preliminary findings suggesting the killings may be connected to the wider Bawku conflict.
In a swift response to the violence, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mubarak, acting on the advice of the North East Regional Security Council, imposed a strict curfew in Nalerigu Township and surrounding areas. The 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew took effect on Sunday, July 27, and will remain in place until further notice. A total ban on arms and ammunition possession has also been declared, with violators facing arrest and prosecution.
“The government has called on the chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them as well as to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace,” a government statement read.
In addition, the government has revised the curfew hours for the Bawku Municipality in the Upper East Region to the same 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. timeframe. This move follows a July 27 announcement that the state is shifting its security stance in the region from “peacekeeping” to “peace enforcement” due to the deteriorating security landscape.
Military reinforcements have now been deployed to Bawku and neighbouring areas, with the Ghana Armed Forces tasked with stabilising the region and safeguarding lives and property. Residents have been urged to cooperate with the security forces to restore calm.
Speaking on Monday, July 21, Minister for Defence Dr. Edward Omane Boamah assured the public that the armed forces are fully prepared to manage the escalating situation. “We acknowledge that the situation in Bawku and Alavanyo and their immediate surroundings remains volatile. The Ghana Armed Forces is actively monitoring and has put in place robust mechanisms to ensure any potential escalation is swiftly contained in the interest of the people and long-lasting resolution of the conflict through dialogue,” he said.
He also warned those seeking to exploit the unrest for criminal activity: “In doing so, we shall always separate crimes from traditional matters, enabling us to deal appropriately and legally with criminals who foment trouble in the name of chieftaincy conflict.”
This latest violence follows an earlier confrontation between locals and the Ghana Armed Forces that led to the deaths of five civilians and the destruction of a statue of the Bawku Naba, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II. The government has since ordered the statue’s reconstruction.
President John Dramani Mahama has directed that work begin immediately to restore the statue, which honours the revered Zugraan (Overlord) of the Kusaug Traditional Area. Defence Minister Dr. Omane Boamah, in coordination with security agencies, will oversee the restoration process and ensure calm in the area.
“To assure that His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama, the Commander in Chief of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), remains committed to bringing an end to decades-old conflict. To address the recent happenings the National Security Coordinator, myself, the Minister for the Interior, the Chief of the Defence Staff and the IGP have all been tasked to play coordinated but differentiated roles to ensure that peace and calm are restored immediately, and this includes restoration of the statue of the Zugran of the Kusasis traditional area,” the Defence Minister noted.
He added that thorough investigations had been launched into the recent killings and that the government would act swiftly based on the findings. “I have directed thorough investigations into the recent matter and promised to take swift action based on recommendations,” he stated.
Calls for accountability have been growing. On July 15, some Members of Parliament from the Upper East Region demanded that soldiers implicated in past civilian deaths be prosecuted and that compensation be given to the families affected.
Tensions in Bawku were reignited in late 2024 following the controversial return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a Mamprusi chief previously exiled after his 2022 enskinment was deemed illegal. His return came after a Kumasi High Court withdrew an arrest warrant against him in October 2024, sparking violent confrontations between the Mamprusi and Kusasi factions.
The violence has since spilled over into other communities, drawing in civilians, security personnel, and institutions, with schools becoming the latest flashpoints. In May 2025, the government extended the Bawku curfew through an Executive Instrument amid growing instability.
Efforts at long-term resolution had been underway. Otumfuo Osei Tutu II had announced plans to mediate between the factions with sessions initially scheduled for April 28 to May 1, 2025, at Manhyia Palace. However, the talks were postponed due to the complexity of the dispute.
The government continues to back Otumfuo’s involvement and has praised his mediation efforts. “The Otumfuo mediation, with the genuine help of Nayiri and Zugraana, had almost brought finality to the conflict until the very recent killings, which have necessitated drastic actions to protect all in the interests of the greater good,” a statement read.
The public has been reminded that all persons in affected areas are strictly prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons. Authorities have reiterated that anyone found violating this order will be arrested and prosecuted.
