Fresh violence erupted in Bawku in the Upper East Region on Wednesday afternoon, leaving one person dead and several others injured, with the private residence of the Bawku Divisional Police Commander, ACP Adamu Seidu, set on fire.
According to reports, at least two people sustained critical injuries during the renewed clashes, which stemmed from tensions linked to the town’s long-standing chieftaincy dispute.
Sources say the violence was triggered after members of one faction demanded that women believed to belong to the opposing side vacate the local market where they were trading. The confrontation quickly escalated, prompting police officers to intervene.
However, attempts by the police to de-escalate the situation reportedly met resistance, with some youth allegedly opening fire on the officers, prompting an exchange of gunfire. One civilian was killed in the crossfire, while two others were seriously wounded.
Following the incident, enraged youth reportedly launched an attack on the police commander’s private residence, setting it ablaze. It remains unclear whether anyone was inside the building at the time of the attack.
Additional reports indicate that a police barracks was also targeted during the unrest, with a police vehicle reportedly set on fire.
Security remains tense in Bawku as authorities move to contain the situation.
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