Mounting insecurity in Bawku is beginning to take a serious toll on security personnel, with some police officers reportedly threatening to resign over fears for their safety.
Interior Minister Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has revealed that a number of officers deployed to the conflict-prone enclave are requesting urgent transfers, warning they may quit the service altogether if their pleas are ignored.
Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, February 10, the Minister described the situation as increasingly dangerous, citing repeated attacks on officers stationed at checkpoints. Over the past three months, some personnel have reportedly been shot and killed in the line of duty.
According to Mr. Muntaka, the severity of the threat at one point compelled the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to temporarily withdraw officers from certain checkpoints. However, he stressed that pulling officers out permanently is not a solution.
“The answer is not to retreat, but to reinforce,” the Minister indicated, noting that security presence in the area must be strengthened with better protection, including the deployment of armoured vehicles.
He also urged Members of Parliament representing affected constituencies to work closely with security agencies and local stakeholders to create safer conditions for officers and residents alike.
The latest disclosure underscores the deepening strain within Bawku, where persistent unrest continues to endanger both law enforcement personnel and civilians, raising renewed concerns about long-term stability in the area.