Bawku Senior High School has been temporarily shut down by the Municipal Education Directorate following the fatal shooting of a third-year student, Hakim Kundima, on campus.
Reports stated that the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, when unidentified gunmen reportedly scaled the school’s perimeter wall, entered a dormitory, and dragged the student outside before fatally shooting him. The attack is believed to have been targeted.
The assailants fled immediately after the incident, and no arrests have been made as of the time of reporting.
The victim’s elder brother, Tahiru Kundima, confirmed the incident to the media, stating that the Bawku Divisional Police Commander personally delivered Hakim’s body to the family.
He suggested that the killing may be linked to the ongoing conflict in Bawku, which has been marked by sporadic violence in recent years.
On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Bawku Municipal Director of Education, Isaac Agbeko Azasoo, announced the school’s closure, citing serious safety concerns for both students and staff.
The tragedy occurred on the same evening as a similar attack at Nalerigu Senior High School, where two students were reportedly shot and killed by unknown assailants, raising broader fears about the safety of senior high schools in the region.
Investigations into the Bawku shooting are ongoing. Authorities have not yet released official details regarding the motive or suspects.
Meanwhile, the government has announced a strategic shift in its approach to the protracted Bawku chieftaincy conflict, moving from a peacekeeping stance to active peace enforcement in response to a recent surge in violence in the area.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, July 27, 2025, and signed by Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Spokesperson to the President, the government warned that the escalation of the conflict threatens to undermine progress made through earlier peacebuilding initiatives, necessitating a more forceful response to safeguard lives and property.
As part of this new strategy, the Ghana Armed Forces have been deployed to Bawku and surrounding communities to enforce curfews and uphold law and order. The statement affirmed the government’s readiness to take all required actions to restore calm.
“The Ghana Armed Forces will take all necessary measures to protect lives and property,” the statement read. “We assure the public that this peace enforcement operation is aimed solely at ensuring the safety and security of all residents, including students.”
The government also commended His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his continued efforts to mediate the conflict and recognised the crucial roles of the Nayiri and Zugraana in moving the process toward resolution.
However, officials noted that recent killings have reversed some of the progress, prompting the need for stronger measures.
“Otumfuo’s mediation, with the genuine help of the Nayiri and Zugraana, had almost brought finality to the conflict until the very recent killings,” the statement noted. “This has necessitated drastic actions to protect all in the interests of the greater good.”
Residents in affected areas are urged to remain calm, avoid any acts of violence, and cooperate fully with the Armed Forces.
While acknowledging that the operation may cause temporary inconvenience to law-abiding citizens, the government reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and ensuring lasting stability in the region.
