Bawku unrest: Six Kusaug MPs demand interdiction of three police officers for killing civilian

Some Members of Parliament from the Kusaug Traditional area in the Upper East Region are demanding an immediate interdiction of three police personnel for their alleged involvement in the killing of a 37-year-old man, Issahaku Abdulai.

The three policemen are alleged to have broken into the house of the deceased at Buabula during a swoop and shot him to death.

Speaking to Citi News, during a fact-finding mission, Member of Parliament for the Bawku Central constituency, Mahama Ayariga, described the conduct of the three police officers as unprofessional and must be sanctioned.

He further demanded compensation for residents whose property were vandalized by security personnel in the area.

“The police went into a house and pulled out somebody and shot him in the presence of his wife. They want justice, and I explained to them that we have already taken up the matter with the Regional Police Command. We have reported to the Military and the Divisional Command. They said there were three police officers that came to the house, so we are insisting that all the three officers should be interdicted and investigated to ascertain what exactly happened”.

At least over 14 people have lost their lives and several others including three military personnel injured.

The mission of the MPs among others is to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the disturbances and deliberate on measures to bring lasting peace to the area .

Leader of the delegation and Member of Parliament for Zebilla, Cletus Avoka said “we don’t blame the army. We don’t blame anybody. We want to come and find out what triggered the attacks.”

He stressed that their priority was peace in the area.

“If there is no peace, there can be no development and as Members of Parliament, we are committed to the peace of the area.”

Recent tensions in the area have led to multiple arrests following some acts of violence.

The tensions can be traced to December 27, 2021, when there was gunfire in parts of the town after attempts to perform the final funeral rites of a Chief who died about 41 years ago.

The violence resulted in a curfew being placed on the entire township, a ban on smock-wearing, and a ban on the use of motorbikes.

The government has said it is engaging the National Peace Council to find a lasting solution to the disturbances that have characterized Bawku in the past few months.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had urged the feuding factions in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute to ceasefire and dialogue.