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Shooting incident: Muntaka bans movement of motorbikes, tricycles in Binduri

Motorbikes

The Minister for the Interior, Alhaji Muntaka Mubarak, has announced an immediate ban on the movement of motorcycles, tricycles, and aboboyaa (wooden carts) in Binduri Township and its environs in the Upper East Region, following a recent violent attack in the area on Sunday, April 13.

The Interior Minister emphasized that anyone found violating the ban will face arrest and prosecution. Additionally, the government has prohibited the carrying of arms, ammunition, or any offensive weapons within Binduri and its surrounding areas.

The ban comes after a deadly assault in Atuba, a suburb of Binduri Central, where an unidentified man was shot and killed before his body and motorcycle were set ablaze. While authorities have not yet confirmed the motive, preliminary reports suggest a possible connection to the prolonged Bawku chieftaincy dispute.

The government has reinforced an existing curfew, now in effect from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. In a public statement, the government urged traditional leaders, elders, youth groups, and residents to remain calm and pursue peaceful means of conflict resolution. “We call on all stakeholders to exercise restraint and work collectively towards restoring lasting peace in the region,” the statement read.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, visited Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, seeking stronger cooperation between local leaders and security forces to curb the rising violence. He assured the public of the police’s neutrality and professionalism in maintaining order.

The Bawku chapter of the Mamprugu Youth Association (MAYA) has condemned the attack and urged the government to deploy additional security personnel to Binduri. The group also supported the ban on motorcycles, citing their frequent use in hit-and-run assaults. MAYA further called on Binduri’s Member of Parliament, Mahmoud Issifu, to take decisive steps to address the escalating insecurity in the constituency.

This latest development is part of a broader effort to restore peace in the region, which has experienced renewed tensions in recent weeks. In March 2025, a curfew was imposed on Binduri Township and its environs following a gun attack that left three people dead and three others injured. President John Dramani Mahama has also reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring lasting peace in Bawku, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration among all stakeholders.