Suspected bandits from Burkina are planning attacks on Ghanaian targets in some parts of the Northern and Upper East regions, especially Bolgatanga and Tamale.
Police commanders in communities along the frontiers of the two countries have been alerted by the Police Headquarters to increase their patrols.
A police wireless message to the Northern and Upper East Police Commands states that the bandits, some of whom have already infiltrated Ghana, are in yet-to-be identified locations and in possession of military grade weapons.
The bandits, the wireless message adds, “are poised to launch the attacks any moment from now.”
The Military High Command recently undertook a military exercise in the Northern Region to sharpen the skills of troops from not only the military but also the Ghana Immigration Service to contain such attacks from the foreign bandits.
Local intelligence gives sufficient details about the infiltrators and law enforcement agencies should be able to contain them when they strike.
Forward operating bases were announced last year by the Defence Minister, Dominic Nitiwul, in anticipation of such infiltrations.
Burkina Faso, Ghana’s northern neighbour, is facing militant activities which have already claimed lives in that country. Mali too is another West African country suffering militant activities.
Ivory Coast has also suffered a spillover of the Burkina militancy having lost some soldiers in the past few weeks to the bandits.
The element of surprise has been lost to the militants as Ghanaian security personnel have been sufficiently forewarned and thus forearmed.
The Gulf of Guinea, to which Ghana belongs, is also a target of pirates whose activities are threatening international trade on the gulf.
By A.R. Gomda