GAF denies allegations that its personnel are on a rampage killing civilians in Bawku
Following the continuous misunderstanding in some parts of Ghana, many have blamed the security personnel stationed at the areas as being the mastermind behind the unrest. However, the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has described such allegations that its personnel are on rampage in Bawku and killing civilians as “false and diversionary”.
In a statement released on Thursday, March 17 2022, the GAF said its personnel at 11 Mechanised Battalion with the support of the police conducted a series of cordon and search operations in Bawku and its environs in a bid to fish out armed assailants.
The search operation the statement noted “was triggered as a result of renewed clashes and sporadic shooting in the border town in the past few days”.
The operation subsequently “resulted in exchange of fire between personnel and some armed assailants at Sabongari, a suburb of Bawku which has left one assailant dead and five persons including three soldiers – two of whom have been transferred to Accra after injury.
Following the clashes, the GAF said,10 suspects were immediately rounded up and handed over to the Bawku District Police for further investigations.
Captain Michael Addo Larbi of the Ghana Navy, the Director of Public Relations who signed the statement remarked that some of the suspects who had been hit by bullets were traced to the Akunye Memorial Hospital, where they were placed under armed guard.
“Another, a woman, was sent to the Vineyard Hospital for treatment.
“Although the situation has been brought under control, the troops of 11 Mechanised remain on high alert to deal with any situation that may rise.
“The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to state categorically that these cordon and search operations have been carefully planned in accordance with the rules of engagement in order to rid the Bawku Municipality of the armed assailants engaged in the sporadic shootings.
“The allegations being circulated on social media that GAF personnel are on the rampage killing people and animals are false and diversionary and must accordingly be ignored,” the statement concluded
