Fourteen suspected gunmen have been arrested, and a cache of weapons and ammunition seized following a joint cordon and search operation by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and the Ghana Police Service in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region.
The operation, carried out between 3:30 p.m. and 4:50 p.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2025, is part of intensified security measures aimed at restoring calm in Bawku and its surrounding areas, which have been rocked by persistent violence and intermittent gunfire.
The suspects have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.
Bawku and Binduri districts have witnessed a surge in deadly clashes in recent weeks, with over 14 people reportedly shot dead and several houses set ablaze between Saturday, June 7, and Saturday, June 14, 2025. Dozens of others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across the Upper East Region.
The escalating violence has led to a partial shutdown of daily activities in Binduri. Government offices are not functioning, many shops remain closed, and public movement has significantly decreased, creating a tense atmosphere in the town.
The unrest is also affecting education, particularly candidates writing the 2025 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Fear has gripped students and teachers, as sporadic gunshots continue to echo in the vicinity of examination centres.
Some parents, alarmed by the volatile situation, initially resisted allowing their children to take part in the exams. However, with the intervention of headteachers, some parents were convinced, and special arrangements, including the hiring of buses, were made to safely transport students to and from examination centres.
Local authorities, school administrators, and residents are now calling for increased and sustained security presence to ensure the safety of civilians and to prevent further disruptions to education and community life.
