The Mamprusi Traditional Council has strongly criticised the government over its imposition of a curfew on Nalerigu and surrounding areas, describing the decision as arbitrary, unjustified, and disrespectful to the authority of the Nayiri.

In a statement issued on Monday, 28th July, the Nayiri Palace expressed deep displeasure with the curfew, which took effect on 27th July 2025. The order restricts movement from 2:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily and follows the killing of two students at Nalerigu Senior High School by unidentified gunmen on Saturday, 26th July.

According to the Palace, the directive was imposed without prior consultation, despite the town being calm and free from any immediate conflict.

“The Nayiri Palace has taken grave notice of a communique circulating in the public domain announcing the imposition of a curfew… While Mamprugu remains firmly committed to constitutional rule… the Palace expresses its deep displeasure and dismay at the arbitrary and unjustified manner in which this curfew has been imposed,” the statement read.

While authorities have not confirmed the motive behind the killings, local speculation has linked the incident to the protracted Bawku conflict. However, the Mamprusi Traditional Council rejected any association between the two, insisting that Nalerigu must not be grouped with areas experiencing unrest.

“It is troubling that the government continues to pursue a misguided policy of equating the longstanding conflict in the Bawku Traditional Area with the peace and stability that exists in Mamprugu, particularly in Walewale and now Nalerigu,” the statement added.

The Council described the government’s rationale, that the curfew would enable the safe evacuation of students, as “unfortunate and unconvincing,” warning that such reactionary measures do little to foster lasting peace.

Asserting that traditional authority had been undermined, the Council issued three key demands to the government:

An immediate lifting of the curfew on Nalerigu and its environs.

A full and transparent investigation into the murder of the students, with the perpetrators brought to justice.

An unqualified apology to the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu for bypassing the Palace in such a critical security decision.

The statement concluded with a firm reminder that peace in Mamprugu must be preserved through mutual respect and collaboration, not through unilateral actions made without local engagement.