The death toll in the ongoing Bawku conflict has climbed to 21, following the killing of a commercial driver known as Maadi on Saturday, November 2. Maadi, a Bolga-Bawku driver, was ambushed on his route to Bolgatanga, and his vehicle was set ablaze in an attack that has escalated tensions in the already volatile region.
The recent surge in violence is tied to the return of Alhaji Seidu Abagre, a rival chief who had been in exile since February 2023 after an arrest warrant was issued following his contested installation as chief in Nalerigu. On October 17, a High Court ruling in Kumasi overturned the warrant, allowing Abagre to return to Bawku on October 24, which has since ignited longstanding chieftaincy disputes.
In the wake of his return, violent incidents have erupted, including exchanges of gunfire that left two people dead and several others injured. In response, authorities have implemented a curfew from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, with security forces actively working to restore peace and prevent further clashes in the area.
