The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Joint Task Force in Bawku has launched a major intelligence-led cordon and search operation aimed at flushing out armed bandits and retrieving illegal weapons in the conflict-hit municipality.

The operation, which took place on Friday, August 1, was led by Taskforce Commander Colonel Rosslyn Foli Atiogbe, alongside Lieutenant Colonel Kakra Sasu-Antwi, Commander Rear of the 11 Mechanized Battalion, and other senior officers.

According to the military, the operation was carefully coordinated based on actionable intelligence targeting suspected hideouts of criminal elements believed to be behind recent violence in the area.

This latest action comes in response to the renewed escalation of conflict in Bawku, which recently resulted in the tragic killing of three Senior High School students.

In the wake of these killings, the GAF has significantly increased their presence in the Bawku area in a bid to restore order and safeguard civilians.

• Read also: GAF intensifies operations in Bawku and surrounding areas

More than 200 military personnel have been deployed within the Bawku municipality, with an additional 200 troops strategically stationed across the Upper East Region to strengthen security and intensify patrols.

During a working visit to the area on July 30, 2025, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, commended the troops for their professionalism and commitment to peace enforcement.

He reiterated the Military High Command’s unwavering support for the operation and affirmed that every necessary step will be taken to ensure lasting peace in Bawku and its surrounding areas.

“We will not leave any stone unturned in our efforts to restore calm. The safety and security of the people in Bawku and the Upper East Region remain a top priority,” Major General Gbetanu stated.

General Gbetanu assured the public that the ongoing operations will be conducted with strict adherence to human rights protocols and has called on troops to be professional in the discharge of their duties.