A 61-year-old man, known locally as OB and recognized for his practice of seeking alms, was killed in Mazema, a suburb of Bawku.
This incident, which occurred on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, contributes to the increasing death toll in the renewed conflict in Bawku, bringing the total fatalities to 22 in recent clashes.
The area had previously experienced a period of relative calm, but tensions flared up with the return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a rival chief who had been in exile since February 2023 due to a protracted chieftaincy dispute.
Abagre had initially fled Bawku after an arrest warrant was issued following his controversial installation as chief in Nalerigu.
However, a recent High Court ruling in Kumasi on October 17, 2024, removed the legal barriers to his return by quashing the warrant, allowing him to re-enter the community.
Since Abagre’s return to Bawku on October 26, the previously fragile peace has unraveled, leading to a series of violent confrontations.
The initial gunfire incidents resulted in two deaths and numerous injuries among residents, escalating a conflict deeply rooted in longstanding chieftaincy disputes.
Community members are increasingly anxious, fearing further violence as tensions continue to simmer.
In light of the rising unrest, security forces have imposed a strict curfew from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. across Bawku to mitigate violence and restore order.
The government and local authorities are calling on community leaders and residents to pursue peaceful dialogue, although the path to enduring peace appears uncertain due to the entrenched nature of the conflict.
