Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu – Chief Imam
Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called for peace to prevail in Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The Chief Imam, who spoke through his spokesperson, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in the Bawku township, which has claimed several lives in recent days.
Sheikh Shaibu stated that the predominantly Muslim population of Bawku should look to the Qur’an’s teachings of peace and let peace prevail.
“I use the voice of the National Chief Imam to call on the people of Bawku because they’re largely Muslims, and I want to call them to look at the spirit of peace as established in our own language and the greetings that we greet – As-salamu alaykum – peace be upon you.
“They should look at this and look at peace as one of the virtues and values of Islam and once silence the gun, break the cycle of vengeance, sound more conciliatory, let’s explore more opportunities for negotiated peace through dialogue and know that as we do so, we’ll be able to reach [peace],” he said.
Bawku is once again experiencing conflict following incidents of killings, the recent one being the death of three men, allegedly caused by military officers deployed by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) to restore peace in the area.
Although the military has denied any wrong doing saying they acted in self defence, residents are calling for justice for the killing of the young men.
6 Dead
Meanwhile, at least six people have been reported dead in a fresh attack in Bawku after gunmen opened fire on a bus en route to a market in Binduri.
The victims comprise two males and four females.
This comes barely 48 hours after relative calm in the town.
The incident unfolded when a bus transporting passengers to a market in the nearby Binduri District was ambushed by gunmen who indiscriminately opened fire on the vehicle.
Municipal Chief Executive for Bawku, Hamza Amadu, verified the distressing incident to the media acknowledging that the current count of casualties might escalate, suggesting the potential for more victims.
Authorities are anticipated to initiate investigations to ascertain the motives behind the attack.
On Friday, January 19, a parallel incident unfolded when a bus transporting approximately 45 students from the Presbyterian Nurses Training College, Bawku, was targeted in an attack by two motorbike-riding gunmen near Binduri in the Upper East Region.
The assault resulted in multiple injuries among the students, who were promptly transported to the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for medical attention.
Also, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, unidentified gunmen attacked and killed two persons in Bawku.
The shooting occurred around noon when unknown gunmen opened fire at tricycle operators near the Bawku Community Centre.
Six people were shot in this incident; one died on the spot, and the other died while receiving treatment at the hospital.
A Daily Guide Report