Eight travellers tragically lost their lives after gunmen blocked the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway, near Gbimsi, a town close to Walawale, and opened fire.
The incident which happened on Sunday involved gunmen setting up a roadblock in Gbimsi and Walawale towns, preventing vehicles from moving, and identifying potential targets.
The gunmen interrogated passengers caught in the blockage over their identities, killed about eight people, and set two vehicles ablaze, a situation sparking security concerns.
“I was travelling from Sunyani to Paga. 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,” a survivor recounted.
The assault is thought to be connected to the renewed Bawku Conflict, which has intensified following a phase of relative calm.
READ ALSO: Agona West NPP Nasara Coordinator Reportedly Shot During Campaign Clash
In the meantime, the Ghana Police Service has promised travelers a heightened security presence along the highway in the days ahead.
In a statement, the Ghana Police Service disclosed that they are working to bring the security situation in Bawku, its surrounding areas, and along the Bolgatanga – Walewale – Tamale highway, under control.
Aside from the Police and Military deployment in Bawku and its environs, the police noted there is also a joint Police and Military deployment along the Bolgatanga-Walewale-Tamale highway to ensure security and manage vehicular traffic.
“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.”
