BREAKING: SHS Students evacuated from Bawku, Nalerigu over curfew

• SHS students evacuated from Bawku, Nalerigu  and its environs over two students of Nalerigu SHS who were gunned and the resulting curfew imposed on the areas. 
• The curfew starts from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily to maintain law and order with immediate effect. 

The Government of Ghana has announced the evacuation of students from Bawku, Nalerigu, and surrounding areas, following the imposition of a curfew aimed at restoring calm in the areas affected by renewed violence.

A statement released by the Presidency on Sunday, July 27, 2025, emphasized that the curfew—from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. daily—is not only to maintain law and order, but also to “create an environment conducive to the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict.”

The statement, signed by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, follows a directive earlier issued by the Ministry of the Interior.

The revised curfew hours in the Bawku Municipality and its environs are based on recommendations by the Upper East Regional Security Council.

The Presidency reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing peace while stressing the importance of safely removing students from harm’s way amid escalating insecurity in the area.

The SHS Students evacuated from Bawku and the WASSCE exam for school candidates

This development comes in the wake of deadly attacks on students over the weekend. At Bawku Senior High School, a final-year student, Hakim Kundima, was fatally shot on campus after armed assailants invaded the school. Similarly, two students of Nalerigu SHS were gunned down in their dormitory in the early hours of the same day.

The SHS Students evacuated from Bawku and the curfew imposed while an important step to protect lived and property will have negative effects on students especially final year student preparing for their WASSCE.

Students in their final year in secondary schools will commence their examination in August 2025. The instability in the region and the associated curfew will have serious negative impact on their preparation for the WASSCE.

Though investigations are ongoing, the attacks are believed to be linked to the protracted Bawku ethnic conflict, which has led to intermittent violence in the region.

READ: Interior Ministry revises Bawku curfew hours following renewed violence

The Ministry of the Interior has also maintained a total ban on the possession of arms and ammunition in the affected areas, warning that anyone found in violation will be arrested and prosecuted.