BAWKU: GOV’T GAMBLE BACKFIRES …As Imposter Chief’s Escorted Return Triggers Carnage

A desperate attempt to win back a lost trust of the people of Mamprugu has reignited the flames of a dying conflict in Bawku, resulting in a mayhem and carnage of bloodshed amidst destruction of properties in the kusaug area that has spilled over to sections of North East region.

The hands of the ruling New Patriotic Party led by Dr. Mahamoud Bawumiah who hails from the area is smelling in the Bawku conflict which has been reignited two years ago with an attempt to impose a rival chief, Ahaji Seidu Abagreb as Bawku Naaba.

The recent clash followed the smuggling of the imposter Chief, Alhaji Seidu Abagreb into the hearts of Bawku subsequent to an alleged questionable judgment secured from the appeals court in Kumasi, lifting an arrest warrant placed on the head on the imposter Chief.

Following the order of the appeals court purporting to quash the warrant for the arrest of the imposter Chief, Alhaji Abagreb, his followers shielded, by the protection of special armed forces and elements of the ruling NPP, spirited him into Bawku amidst jubilation and sporadic gun fires which took their rivals unaware.

In the end the tranquillity of Bawku, the traditional capital of the Kusaug has all weekend been shattered, forcing people to flee their homes amidst blazing gun-fires and untargeted shootings, and destruction of lives and properties.

Amidst an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear, the death toll remains unknown, with reports indicating severe injuries and a highly chaotic situation unfolding.

The reignited tensions stem from the alleged presence of the imposter chief, Alhaji Seidu Abagre, in Bawku since last Thursday 24th October 2024 accompanied by trained armed militants and undercover forces aligned to the controversial chief.

The situation has escalated to the extent that hospitals and clinics in Bawku are overwhelmed with the injured and the deceased, signaling a grave threat to safety and security in the area.

A statement purportedly released by the Member of Parliament for the Zebila Constituency within the Kusaug area, expressed deep concerns over the potential rekindling of the ‘Bawku crisis’ and the wider Kusaug Traditional Area.

The conflict traces back to the disputed enskinment of Alhaji Seidu Abagre as a rival Bawku Naba in 2023, a move condemned by the government, purporting to be concerned for its implications on national security and regional stability.

In the wake of the illegal enskinment, purporting to be concern about the security in the area, the defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul in a media engagement stated categorically that the enskinment of Alhaji Seidu Abagre was illegal and that there was a warrant issued for his arrest.

The government failed to enforce the warrant even though Alhaji Seidu Abagre was reportedly hiding in Nalerigu under the watch of National security and its allies.

Observers of the conflict have cited various occasions where the illegal chief and his supporters retreated following clashes from the vigilant rival forces from Bawku.

The reluctance of the Attorney General to appeal against the rescission of the arrest warrant further complicated the legal landscape surrounding the situation, leading to the overreaching breach of peace and stability in the area.

Dr. John Kingsley Krugu, Parliamentary Candidate for Zebilla Constituency, has since called on the government to intervene decisively and ensure the enforcement of the law to prevent further provocations and safeguard the lives and properties of the people in the KTA.

The suspension of campaign activities in the constituency underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a swift and effective resolution.

As the specter of violence spills over Bwaku, the people of Kusaug are living on the edge of a looming conflict which may scale over to the entire northern regions

The unfolding events underscore the delicate balance between tradition, politics, and security in the region, highlighting the critical need for concerted efforts to restore peace and ensure the rule of law is upheld.

The return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre to Bawku has once again plunged the area into uncertainty, raising concerns about the potential ramifications for the fragile peace in the Kusaug Traditional Area.

The government’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining the path forward and preventing a further escalation of tensions in Boko.

(This article is based on the recent events unfolding in Bawku and draws from information provided by various sources, including statements from local officials and legal documents. The situation remains fluid, and updates are expected as developments unfold.)