The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohonu, has revealed that he defied security intelligence advising him against entering Bawku during a recent surge in violence, saying he could not abandon his men who were under attack.

Addressing the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, on 10 May 2025, during peace efforts in the troubled Bawku area, the IGP recounted the tense situation that led to his decision.

“Recently I visited Bawku when our men were seriously attacked. There was a threat of more serious attacks on their lives,” he said. “When I got to Bolga, the intelligence I had was that the whole village was in flames. And so that made me rush to Bawku.”

He explained that despite strong warnings that it would be dangerous to proceed, he chose to go ahead.

“When I got to Bolga, the intelligence I had was that it would be difficult for me to enter. And I said, my men are already trapped there, so how can I stay in Bolga? What am I coming to tell my other colleagues?” he asked. “So I persevered with my team and then we went.”

According to the IGP, he met with the Bawku Naaba and pleaded for calm.

“We were able to talk to the Bawku Naaba, and he also talked to her people and let peace prevail. Because we, as security officers in the course of doing our work, may go wrong somewhere, so they should forgive us,” he added.

The IGP also disclosed that security forces are taking steps to manage tensions in the neighbouring Binduri district, which has also seen a spike in violence.

“Military, police and all other security are very happy for your intervention. But what we want to tell you as you start is that the normal policing duties have been withdrawn. Only the operational teams are there because they appear vulnerable that they could be attacked at their various homes,” he said.

He noted that officers with families have been redeployed to other regions, making Bawku strictly an operational zone for now.

“We are working together with National Security so that we can look at the best way to reduce hotness in Binduri. And that is what we are doing together,” he said.

Meanwhile, violence continues to spill over into nearby communities. At least 12 houses were reportedly set on fire by unknown attackers over the weekend in Gumyoko, a community in the Binduri district of the Upper East Region.

Sources from JoyNews say more houses were torched just three days earlier, bringing the total to over 20 in recent days.