Tragedy struck on the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway near Gbimsi, a community close to Walewale, as eight travelers lost their lives when gunmen ambushed the road on Sunday, creating roadblocks and opening fire on vehicles.
The assailants set up roadblocks in both Gbimsi and Walewale Town, forcing vehicles to stop and questioning passengers about their identities, reportedly to identify specific targets.
According to witnesses, the attack was devastating. One survivor, who was traveling from Sunyani to Paga, described the experience, stating, “Upon reaching Walewale, people had mounted roadblocks and were searching for individuals to kill. The incident lasted for more than an hour, yet security did not respond.”
The assault left eight people dead, with two vehicles burned, intensifying security concerns in the region. The attack, believed to be connected to the ongoing Bawku conflict, has brought renewed attention to the instability affecting both residents and travelers along this critical route.
In response to the rising violence, the Ghana Police Service has pledged to enhance its security presence along the Bolgatanga-Walewale-Tamale highway in the coming days. A police statement indicated that both the police and the military are mobilizing forces to restore order and protect citizens.
“The security agencies would like to once again assure the public that we are committed to maintaining peace, security, law and order in Bawku and its environs,” the statement read.
Efforts are underway to regain control of the situation in Bawku and surrounding areas as well as along the highway, with increased security deployments to manage traffic and safeguard travelers.
