Police in the Upper East Region have confirmed the arrest of four individuals in Bawku following renewed violent clashes on Friday, 10th January that resulted in the death of two residents.
The arrests were made during a military-led operation aimed at curbing the escalating violence in the area. The operation led to the retrieval of eight assault rifles and a significant cache of ammunition.
Security forces say the swoop was part of efforts to contain the persistent ethnic conflict that has plagued the Bawku municipality for decades.
According to police sources, the recent violence was triggered by a deadly ambush on a passenger bus on Monday, which left several people injured.
The attack is believed to be part of ongoing tensions between rival factions in the area.
Sources within the military and police have revealed that the oldest among the arrested suspects is 25 years old, with two of them being just 15 years of age. This highlights the troubling extent of the conflict and the involvement of minors in the ongoing violence.
Additionally, it has been noted that the armed gangs in Bawku possess military-grade rifles, a concerning factor given the lethality of the weapons in use.
The death toll from the conflict has now risen to 41 since renewed clashes broke out in October 2024.
The protracted conflict, rooted in chieftaincy disputes, continues to claim lives and disrupt socio-economic activities in Bawku and its surrounding communities.
Bawku has been a hotspot of ethnic tensions for years, with the conflict primarily involving the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups. Despite multiple interventions by successive governments, the situation remains volatile, with sporadic clashes erupting periodically.
