Bloody Bawku conflict: Two more travellers killed

Two more victims have lost their lives in the ongoing Bawku conflict, which has been marked by escalating violence and tension in the Eastern region.

The victims were ambushed on the road while travelling in a truck from Bawku. En route to their destination, unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle, resulting in their deaths.

It is reported that one of the deceased was a Mamprusi, while the other was a Togolese national. The Togolese man had been in Bawku to care for his ailing father, who sadly passed away during his stay.

They were en route to Togo with the body of the deceased father when they were attacked.

The recurring conflict, primarily rooted in chieftaincy disputes and ethnic tensions, has led to significant unrest in the area over the past few years.

READ ALSO: 8 travellers gruesomely murdered in Bawku conflict

The situation recently escalated following the return of a rival chief, which ignited tensions between different ethnic groups in the area.

The situation has escalated in recent months, with clashes between various groups resulting in fatalities and widespread fear among residents.

Security forces have been deployed to maintain peace, but incidents of violence continue to occur.

At the time of reporting, at least 17 persons had been murdered in cold blood.

Among the victims were eight travellers who were shot near Gbimsi, a community close to Walewale on the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway.

The gunmen on Sunday, October 27, 2024, set up roadblocks in Gbimsi and Walewale and picked out Kusasis for their killing spree.

One survivor recounted the incident: “I went to Tamale airport this morning to drop someone. On my way back, at Gbimsi, I saw people holding guns and blocking the road. They were burning tyres and said they were looking for Kusasis. They screened me, and I was allowed to pass when I indicated I was not a Kusasi. I saw them beating someone but couldn’t see how it ended”.