Audio Attachment Listen to Kwamena Bartels, Interior Minister talk to Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah on the Bawku situation
Relative calm has returned to Bawku with the heavy presence of military and police personnel in the Bawku Municipality and other surrounding areas.
Tension however remains high with some residents beginning to leave the area.
The Upper Regional Police Commander, Ofosu Mensah Gyeabor who confirmed to to Joy News said staff of Barclay bank and some health workers sought protection from the police to enable them leave the area.
He said in order to quell any escalation of violence emanating from the simmering tensions, the Regional Security Council would hold a meeting tonight to discuss measure to contain the situation and consolidate the current calm.
Meanwhile about 32 people arrested in connection with the violence are being screened to determine those who played roles in the shootings, he said.
Bawku in the Upper East Region came under a 22-hour indefinite curfew beginning from 9am Monday after continuing gun battles exploded on Sunday between Kusasis and Mamprusis which claimed 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.
