The military in a statement denied the allegations and noted several incidents of violent attacks in the area.
Read the military statement below
GAF KEEPING ALLEGATIONS OF DEATH ON MY BAW
The attention of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has been drawn to allegations by some individuals in Bawku that soldiers deployed in Operation Gongong to restore peace in the area are killing innocent Kusasi youths and women in their homes and communities. He also said that military personnel have taken over Zoogin, a Kusasi community. GAF would like to state emphatically that these allegations are false and baseless.
Information received from the National Bureau of Investigation by the GAF Gongong Operation Team earlier this week indicated that a passenger in a yellow KIA Grand Bird Bus with Registration Number AS 3672-21 traveling from Accra to Missiga was attacked by unknown gunmen around Kpawelga on Bawku highway . The gunmen shot through the vehicle’s tire and engine compartment. The bus is now packed at Asylum Down, Bawku Divisional Police Station for investigation.
In addition, one KIA Rhino truck with registration number US 7093-17 was hit and the driver of the truck, Alhassan Abdella aged 40, from the Gonja tribe sustained injuries on his left leg. He is currently being treated at Bawku Presbyterian Hospital.
Again, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, gunshots were heard around Natinga Selatan in Bawku. The Patrol team rushed to the general area of the shooting where they arrested the suspect, Abdul Malik Haruna, aged 35 from the Mamprusi tribe. He was then handed over to Bawku Police Station for further investigation.
It should also be placed on the record based on a tip-off by the Bawku Police in the hiding place of the suspect allegedly involved in the fire incident in Bawku, the force conducts a cordon and search operation together with the Bawku Police in the Public Area of Pateleme.
Three suspects, Fatau Alhassan Binda, 42, Abubakar Iddrisu, 44 and Alhassan Mustapha Binda, 33, all from the Dagomba tribe were arrested at a house in Pateleme. He was handed over to Bawku Police Station for further investigation.
In a separate incident, sporadic gunshots were heard around Sabongari Public Area. A Patrol team sent to assess the situation found unknown armed men on the Gozesi-Valley side of Sabongari wearing black shirts with Black Hoodies. Troops engaged and neutralized six (6) gunmen. During the engagement, several armed men sealed off a nearby mud house to engage the Team.
One of the gunmen tried to attack the troops with a cutlass but was disarmed in the process. During the operation. a local woman found with a gunshot wound on the left hand was sent to Bawku Presbyterian Hospital by the troops for treatment.
After the incident and the false accusations made, GAF should announce the results in order to dispel false information and misconceptions that certain groups were targeted by the forces in Bawku.
The Ghana Armed Forces therefore once again wish to assure the general public of its commitment to protect its citizens at all times. It therefore calls for the support of all peace-loving Ghanaians especially the Bawku indigenes to facilitate the process of normalizing the area and also to help the GAF reduce tension in the interest of peace and security which is necessary for socio-economics. the development of Bawku and the nation as a whole.
Director of Public Relations