Three students have been tragically killed in separate gun attacks at Nalerigu and Bawku Senior High Schools (SHS) over the weekend, prompting the government to evacuate students from the conflict-stricken regions and step up military deployments.
The deadly assaults, believed to be part of the renewed escalation in the Bawku conflict, have sent shockwaves across the country and heightened calls for urgent intervention.
Dormitory attack leaves 2 dead in Nalerigu
On Saturday evening, two male students of the Nalerigu Senior High School in the North East Region were gunned down in their dormitory by unidentified assailants.
The students, identified only as Lukman and Gideon, were reportedly relaxing in their room when the attackers stormed the premises and opened fire.
The Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area—who is also an uncle of one of the deceased—confirmed the incident and expressed outrage over the security breakdown that allowed armed men to access the school compound.
“These were innocent children, sons of our community, killed in a place that should have been safe,” the grieving local leader said.
Another student killed in Bawku SHS
Later that same night, a third student was killed at Bawku Senior High School in the Upper East Region in what appeared to be a targeted killing. The attackers reportedly scaled the school’s perimeter wall, dragged the student from his dormitory, and shot him outside in cold blood.
The attack at Bawku SHS, also believed to be linked to the long-running ethnic and chieftaincy conflict in the area, has raised fears of further assaults on educational institutions.
Govt orders evacuation, deploys troops
Following the killings, the government announced an immediate evacuation of all students from affected schools in Bawku, Nalerigu, and surrounding areas.
A statement issued on Sunday, July 27, 2025, by Presidential Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu, said the curfews in these towns had been intensified to support the safe movement of students.
“The Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed to maintain law and order, as we intensify curfews to ensure public safety,” the statement read.
“These very recent killings have necessitated drastic actions to protect all in the interests of the greater good.”
The curfew in Nalerigu has been extended to a dusk-to-dawn regulation, and a complete ban on weapons possession is now in effect.
Security personnel have been instructed to use all lawful means to ensure safety and restore calm.
Shift from peacekeeping to peace enforcement
Mr. Kwakye Ofosu emphasized that the government was shifting its posture from peacekeeping to what it described as “peace enforcement.”
According to the Presidency, this means the military will now adopt more proactive measures to quell the violence and prevent further attacks.
He also acknowledged the vital role of traditional leaders in peace efforts, particularly Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Nayiri, and the Zugraana, whose previous mediation efforts had brought the crisis close to resolution before the latest wave of killings.
Tensions flare in Ashanti Region
The unrest appears to be spilling over into other regions. Earlier last week, Naa Abdul-Malik Azenbe, chief of the Kusasi Community in the Ashanti Region, was shot dead in his home at Asawase.
Days later, another man was murdered in broad daylight in the same community, causing panic among local residents and raising concerns of an expanding conflict zone.
Historical conflict claims hundreds of lives
The Bawku conflict—rooted in longstanding chieftaincy and ethnic rivalries—has persisted despite numerous government and traditional mediation efforts.
The latest data shows that over 300 people have lost their lives between November 2021 and April 2025.
These include women, children, and the elderly, many of whom were non-combatants caught in the crossfire.
Between January 25 and February 14, 2025, alone, four children aged five months to 13 years were killed in Bawku.
The violence has devastated the local economy, disrupted education, and fractured communities.
Public outcry mounts
Ghanaians across the country have reacted with sorrow and anger to the weekend’s killings, demanding accountability and stronger protection for students and civilians in conflict areas.
Security agencies say they have commenced investigations into the killings and other recent violent incidents.
The Presidency has urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement and respect curfew measures while the government works to restore stability.
