Bawku conflict: Evacuation of students begins following deadly attacks
The government has commenced an emergency evacuation of students from Bawku in the Upper East Region, Nalerigu in the North East Region and their surrounding communities.
This follows a disturbing wave of violent attacks on Senior High School (SHS) students that have claimed three lives.
Last Saturday night, three SHS students — one from the Bawku SHS and two from the Nalerigu SHS — were gruesomely gunned down by unknown assailants in incidents reportedly linked to the ongoing ethnic conflict in Bawku.
Two of the deceased students have been identified as Lukman and Gideon.
According to eyewitness reports, the students were inside their dormitories when the unidentified gunmen stormed the school premises and shot them at close range.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Minister of State, Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, stated that the government had launched a coordinated evacuation exercise to relocate students from all high-risk educational institutions in the affected areas.
“Government wants to stress that the curfew is intended to create an environment conducive to the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in the affected areas, some of whom have unfortunately become targets in the conflict,” the release said.
Curfew
Following the incident, the Ministry of the Interior has imposed a curfew from 2 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Nalerigu and its environs, effective immediately.
The statement released by the Interior Ministry yesterday further prohibited all persons within the curfew zone from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons.
It warned that anyone found in possession of such items would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The ministry also appealed to chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth and residents to exercise restraint and adopt non-violent means in addressing the current crisis.
Incident
While the exact circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, sources have suggested a possible link to the ongoing Bawku tribal conflict.
The incident has sparked widespread fear and panic among students and residents of the Nalerigu community.
Many students are reported to be stranded and deeply concerned for their safety, as the violence hits closer to their educational environment.
Confirming the tragic development, the Headmaster of the Nalerigu SHS, Mohammed Tibila, stated that the students were indeed killed on campus, affirming the gravity of the situation.
Writer's email: mohammed.fugu@graphic.com.gh
