The Government has launched an emergency evacuation of students from conflict-hit areas in Bawku, Nalerigu, and surrounding communities, in response to escalating violence and growing threats to student safety amid ongoing ethnic tensions.
The decision follows a disturbing attack on Saturday night, July 26, at Nalerigu and Bawku Senior High Schools, where three students were shot and killed by unknown assailants in what appears to be a targeted on-campus assault.
In a statement issued on Sunday, July 27, Government Spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu confirmed that the state has begun a coordinated operation to evacuate students from high-risk educational institutions across the affected areas.
“Government wants to stress that the curfew is intended to create an environment conducive to the evacuation of all students in the affected institutions, some of whom have sadly been targeted in the conflict,” he stated.
To facilitate the operation, a curfew from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. has been imposed in select areas, allowing security forces to manage the evacuation safely and minimize the risk of further attacks.
Armed personnel have been deployed to strategic locations to provide protection and ensure a smooth and secure evacuation process.
While the exact number of students involved has not yet been disclosed, the evacuation includes Senior High Schools and other institutions located in conflict-prone zones.
The renewed ethnic violence in the Bawku area has intensified in recent months, with attacks increasingly targeting civilians including students within schools and residential neighborhoods.
The government’s evacuation initiative marks a significant shift in its response strategy, placing the immediate safety of vulnerable young people at the forefront.
