Gunfight Erupts Between Police and Customs at Bawku Checkpoint
Tensions Rise as Security Forces Clash Over Suspected Smuggling Operation
- A violent confrontation erupted between the Ghana Police Service and Customs officials
- Military personnel were deployed to restore order
- The incident raises serious concerns about inter-agency cooperation
A fierce gun battle broke out at the Missiga Immigration Service checkpoint in Bawku on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, following a clash between the Ghana Police Service and Customs officials.
The altercation ignited when police officers denied Customs officials access to inspect a truck suspected of transporting smuggled cocoa beans bound for Togo.
Tensions escalated quickly, leading to an alarming exchange of gunfire as both agencies engaged in the conflict.
Military personnel were called in to help de-escalate the situation, which had turned chaotic, with bystanders fleeing as shots rang out.
Video footage captured the dramatic moment when a heated verbal confrontation transformed into violence, highlighting the serious breakdown in cooperation between security forces.
This incident has sparked widespread concern over the coordination among agencies responsible for protecting Ghana’s borders, especially amidst ongoing challenges with cocoa smuggling. Traffickers have long sought to evade taxes and duties by illegally transporting goods to neighboring countries like Togo and Ivory Coast.
