Residents of Bawku in the Upper East Region have accused the military of brutalizing civilians during a late-night raid on Tuesday, March 18, leaving many injured and properties destroyed.
The assault, allegedly a reprisal following the killing of a Ghana Armed Forces officer on Monday, March 17, saw soldiers storming homes, ransacking properties, and attacking residents with guns, stones, and metallic objects.
Eyewitness accounts paint a grim picture of the ordeal. One woman narrated how soldiers forced their way into her home and assaulted her without provocation.
“When I opened the door, they started beating me and asked, ‘Where are the men of this house?’ I told them I have no mother, father, or husband and that I live alone. But they continued beating me, hitting my ears and jaw, and injuring my hands,” she recounted.
Another resident described how soldiers barged into his home around 8:30 p.m., attacking him and his brothers while seizing their phones, money, and belongings.
“They didn’t ask any questions. They just started beating us and destroying everything,” he lamented.
Videos from the aftermath reveal extensive destruction, with civilians—including women—bearing bruises, lash marks, and visible bloodstains.
Residents now live in fear, calling on the government to rein in the military and prevent further abuses.
“We are suffering in Bawku. The military is supposed to protect us, not beat us,” one resident pleaded.
Meanwhile, in response to rising insecurity, the government has deployed military personnel and drones along the Wale Wale-Bolgatanga Highway to curb armed attacks on passenger buses.
As tensions in Bawku persist, human rights groups and local leaders are urging authorities to investigate the alleged military brutality and ensure justice for affected civilians.