Bawku Bleeds Again: 61-Year-Old Beggar Gunned Down as Death Toll Hits 22
Renewed chieftaincy clashes threaten to tear apart Bawku, with civilian lives lost in the escalating violence
- 61-year-old beggar OB becomes the latest victim caught in the crossfire during clashes in Mazema
- Authorities enforce a 12-hour curfew in Bawku as tensions rise, aiming to prevent further bloodshed
- The return of contested chief Seidu Abagre triggers intense gunfire exchanges
A 61-year-old man, locally known as OB, tragically lost his life after being caught in the crossfire during recent clashes in Mazema, a neighborhood of Bawku.
OB, a beggar, is the latest victim of the renewed violence, pushing the death toll from the ongoing conflict to 22.
The violence flared up after the return of Seidu Abagre, a controversial chief supported by the Nayiri, who had been in exile following an arrest warrant issued against him in early 2023.
A High Court ruling on October 17, 2024, lifted the warrant, enabling Abagre’s return to Bawku on October 26.
His return reignited a bitter chieftaincy dispute, leading to deadly gunfire exchanges and injuries.
As tensions rise, the community braces for more unrest, while security forces have enforced a curfew from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to maintain order and protect residents.
