Interior Minister Alhaji Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has revealed that a growing number of police officers deployed to Bawku and its surrounding areas are threatening to resign or demanding transfers due to persistent attacks on security personnel.
Addressing Parliament, the minister, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase, described the security situation in the area as alarming, citing recent incidents in which police officers were shot and killed.
“Just the day before yesterday, an officer was shot and killed,” he told the House, adding that such incidents have made it increasingly difficult to deploy personnel to the conflict-prone area.
According to the minister, some officers have formally requested transfers, while others have threatened to resign from the service if their requests are not granted.
“I have instances where you sit in the office and officers write go you that if you don’t transfer me out of that area, then I’d rather resign and leave the service,” he said.
Alhaji Muntaka indicated that the situation has been worsened by what he described as a lack of cooperation from some residents, making policing efforts more challenging.
He noted that officers stationed at barriers and checkpoints have been openly attacked by gunmen.
“To the extent that police officers that we put on barriers, like checkpoints, people have the courage to go openly and fire at them and kill them,” he stated.
The minister disclosed that at one point, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) withdrew officers from certain checkpoints due to safety concerns. However, he said the decision was later reviewed, with authorities opting instead to reinforce personnel with armored vehicles rather than completely pull them out.
He called on Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to work closely with the security agencies to help create a safer environment in Bawku, enabling officers to carry out their duties effectively.
The Bawku area has experienced recurring violence in recent years, leading to heightened security deployments and curfews aimed at restoring peace.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
