The Mamprusi Traditional Council has issued a strong rebuke of the government’s decision to impose a curfew on Nalerigu and its surrounding areas, describing it as arbitrary, unjustified, and a blatant show of disrespect toward the authority of the Nayiri.
In a statement released on Monday, July 28, the Nayiri Palace expressed deep disappointment with the curfew, which took effect on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
The order restricts movement from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily and was introduced following the killing of two students from Nalerigu Senior High School by unidentified gunmen on Saturday, July 26.
The Palace criticised the government for failing to consult traditional leaders before enforcing the curfew, despite the area being calm and free from any immediate conflict.
The statement stressed that Mamprugu remains committed to constitutional rule but found the manner in which the curfew was imposed deeply troubling and disrespectful.
Although the motive behind the student killings remains unclear, some have speculated links to the long-standing Bawku conflict. The Mamprusi Council, however, firmly rejected any such connection.
It insisted that Nalerigu, like other towns in Mamprugu such as Walewale, has remained peaceful and should not be grouped with areas experiencing unrest.
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The Council further described the government’s justification that the curfew would facilitate the safe evacuation of students as both unfortunate and unconvincing.
It warned that such reactionary and poorly coordinated decisions do little to build trust or ensure long-term peace.
In its statement, the Council made it clear that the exclusion of traditional authorities from such a significant security decision amounted to a serious breach of protocol.
It called for the immediate lifting of the curfew, a full and transparent investigation into the killings of the students, and an official apology to the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu for bypassing the Palace.
The statement concluded with a reminder that peace in Mamprugu is not something to be imposed by decree, but rather something to be nurtured through mutual respect, dialogue, and genuine collaboration between state institutions and traditional leadership.
