A tragic armed attack last Sunday night at Nangani in the Tempane District in the Upper East Region has led to the death of one officer from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS). Another officer is in critical condition.
The attack happened at an immigration checkpoint.
Reports suggest it happened between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
It is believed to have been carried out by unidentified gunmen suspected to be bandits operating within the Bawku enclave.
Sources say the two officers were returning from night duty on a motorbike when the assailants ambushed them near the Nangani checkpoint and opened fire on them.
One of the officers reportedly sustained a broken leg, while his colleague succumbed to the gunshot wounds.
Following the attack, both victims were rushed to Blessing Hospital at Wedama for emergency treatment.
Medical personnel at the facility stabilised the injured officer, but due to the critical nature of their conditions, both were later referred to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital.
One of the officers was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The surviving officer remains under intensive care.
Sources have disclosed that the gunmen fled the scene with the officers’ service weapons after the shooting.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but security officials suspect it may be linked to increasing cross-border criminal activity along the Ghana–Burkina Faso frontier.
The incident has reignited public anxiety over the growing wave of gun attacks in parts of the Bawku enclave of the Upper East Region.
Security analysts have repeatedly warned that the proximity of these areas to conflict zones in the Sahel region, coupled with the protracted Bawku conflict, makes them vulnerable to infiltration by armed groups, smugglers and extremists.
Security beef up
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Tempane, Joseph Mbilla, who confirmed the incident, described the attack as “barbaric and unfortunate” and said security agencies had commenced full-scale investigations to track down the perpetrators.
Mr Mbilla further disclosed that he had reached out to the military command for immediate deployment of additional personnel to strengthen security in Nangani and other border communities.
“I have engaged the military to support the Immigration Service and the Police to reinforce patrols and protect our officers in the line of duty,” he said.
Residents have also appealed for enhanced surveillance and regular joint patrols to ensure the safety of security personnel and civilians in the border zones.
