The Ministry of Interior has renewed the curfew in Walewale and its surrounding areas in the North East Region, adjusting the hours from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, effective Saturday, February 22.
This decision follows a series of violent incidents, including gun attacks on passengers and the burning of buses along the Walewale-Wulugu section of the Bolgatanga-Tamale highway, which resulted in multiple fatalities and heightened insecurity in the region.
The initial curfew was imposed on February 15, 2025, after reports indicated that between February 11 and February 15, approximately 13 travellers, including an infant, were killed, and three buses were set ablaze in the area.
Despite resistance from local residents, who cited concerns over military interventions and disruptions to daily life, the government, upon advice from the North East Regional Security Council, deemed it necessary to extend the curfew to prevent further violence and restore order.
In addition to the curfew, there is a total ban on carrying arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons within Walewale and its environs.
The Ministry has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute individuals found violating this directive.
The government has called on chiefs, elders, opinion leaders, youth, and residents to exercise restraint and employ non-violent means to address their grievances, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace and security in the region.
While some community members have expressed dissatisfaction with the curfew, arguing that it disrupts their livelihoods and does not address the root causes of the violence, the Ministry maintains that these measures are essential for the safety and well-being of all residents.
The situation remains under close monitoring, with security forces deployed to enforce the curfew and ensure compliance with the ban on weapons. The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to restoring normalcy and has urged the public to cooperate with authorities during this period.
—Classfmonline
