Bawku Burns Again - Four Dead, 22-hour Curfew Imposed

Bawku in the Upper East Region has just been placed under a 22-hour indefinite curfew beginning from 9am Monday after continuing gun battles exploded on Sunday between Kusasis and Mamprusis claiming four lives. According to Interior Minister, Kwamena Bartels who spoke to Joy FM a while ago, the fighting is still ongoing and the curfew is to push a lot of people into their rooms and assist the police and military to bring the situation under control. Personnel reinforcements have already been ordered from nearby towns; Sunyani and Tamale to help quell the violence that has already seen the razing of lots of houses in Pusiga, Binduri and Bugri while vehicles have also been burnt. The Interior Minister, who spoke on the Super Morning Show, said sporadic shooting is still ongoing, started on Sunday when a Kusasi opinion leader among worshipers returning from the mosque who was shot at and wounded badly, died around Zebila while being transported to the Bolga Government Hospital after first aid at the Bawku hospital. As a result of the death, the Kusasis also armed themselves and attacked Mamprusis who also returned fire, leading to the escalation of the situation. Bawku has not known peace since Kusasis and Mamprusis traded gunshots from New Year’s Day, leading to several deaths and loss of property, a situation that has seen many revised curfews. The situation appeared to have experienced some lull until Sunday’s incident.