Powerful Military Crackdown Brings Renewed Hope Amid Deadly Bawku Unrest
Bawku military operation — In a decisive and intelligence-led move, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have launched a large-scale cordon and search operation to flush out armed bandits and seize illegal weapons in the volatile Bawku municipality, which has been grappling with renewed deadly conflict.
The security sweep, which took place on Thursday, August 1, was spearheaded by the Taskforce Commander, Colonel Rosslyn Foli Atiogbe, and supported by Lieutenant Colonel Kakra Sasu-Antwi, Commander Rear of the 11 Mechanized Battalion. Other top military officers joined forces in the coordinated operation, which targeted known hotspots and hideouts believed to be harboring violent criminal elements linked to recent killings and unrest in the area.
According to military sources, the mission was executed based on actionable intelligence gathered over several weeks. The focus was on swiftly identifying and apprehending individuals suspected of being behind the ongoing violence that has destabilized the region and left many families in mourning.
The operation comes on the heels of a tragic incident that saw three Senior High School students brutally murdered in cold blood, sending shockwaves across the nation. The killings have not only reignited fears among residents but have also underscored the urgent need for intensified security interventions.
Responding swiftly to the crisis, the Ghana Armed Forces have massively increased their boots on the ground in Bawku. More than 200 well-trained military personnel have been deployed within the township, while another 200 troops have been strategically dispatched across key locations in the Upper East Region to boost patrols, stabilize security, and deter further violence.
During a high-level working visit to the troubled municipality on Tuesday, July 30, 2025, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Lawrence Kwaku Gbetanu, personally assessed the situation on the ground and interacted with troops and commanders involved in the peace enforcement mission.
Addressing soldiers at the Bawku military base, Major General Gbetanu commended them for their bravery, discipline, and dedication under extremely challenging circumstances. He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Military High Command to support all operations aimed at restoring calm and safeguarding lives in the region.
“We will not leave any stone unturned in our efforts to bring peace to Bawku,” Major General Gbetanu declared. “The safety and security of civilians remain our utmost priority, and we are determined to root out all criminal elements threatening the peace and development of this area.”
He further emphasized that the operations would be conducted with the highest level of professionalism and strict adherence to human rights protocols. Soldiers were urged to remain disciplined and act within the law while engaging suspects and carrying out search duties.
Military officials have also assured the local population that every effort is being made to separate innocent civilians from suspected criminals. The cordon and search operations are being carried out in collaboration with local intelligence units, traditional leaders, and community informants to ensure precision and prevent collateral damage.
The situation in Bawku remains tense, with residents expressing a mix of hope and fear as the military operation intensifies. Many community members have welcomed the increased security presence, viewing it as a necessary step toward restoring normalcy. Others, however, remain apprehensive, fearing possible reprisals or escalation of violence.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and human rights advocates have called for greater transparency in the military’s actions and urged the government to invest in long-term solutions such as dialogue, reconciliation, and development to address the root causes of the conflict.
The government has yet to issue an official statement on the operation, but sources within the Ministry of National Security confirm that authorities are closely monitoring developments and are fully backing the Armed Forces in their efforts to stabilize Bawku and the surrounding region.
With hundreds of soldiers now on high alert, and a renewed mandate from the top brass of the Ghana Armed Forces, residents of Bawku and the Upper East Region are cautiously optimistic that peace may finally be within reach.
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