Els: MBN360 News
The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has disclosed that several police officers deployed to the troubled Bawku enclave are threatening to resign if their transfer requests are not granted, citing growing risks to their safety.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, 10 February, Muntaka said the worsening security situation in the area has made postings extremely dangerous, with officers attacked and killed at checkpoints over the past three months amid ongoing unrest.
According to him, fear and frustration among personnel have reached a point where some officers are considering leaving the service altogether.
“I have had instances where some officers say that if you don’t transfer me from that area, I will rather resign,” he told the House.
“Why? Because the citizens themselves over there are not helpful, to the extent that people have the courage to go and openly fire at police officers and kill them at the checkpoints.”
The minister revealed that at the height of the attacks, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) temporarily withdrew officers from checkpoints for safety reasons.
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However, he clarified that the move was not intended as a long-term solution.
“At a point in time, the IGP had to withdraw all police officers from checkpoints,” he said, adding that the focus should be on reinforcing protection rather than abandoning posts.
“I had to insist that the answer is not to withdraw but rather to position them with armoured vehicles.”
Mr Muntaka urged Members of Parliament, particularly those representing affected constituencies, to work closely with security agencies and community leaders to create a safer environment for officers and residents.
“As MPs, we need to work with these security people so that we will be able to create an enabling environment within the area so they can assist and help us,” he said.
Bawku has experienced persistent disturbances in recent months, with sporadic attacks targeting both civilians and security personnel, heightening concerns about safety and stability in the region.
The minister’s remarks underscore mounting pressure on the security services as authorities seek to restore calm while ensuring the protection and morale of personnel deployed to the conflict-prone area.
