Gunmen Attack Bus Carrying Trainee Nurses

A bus carrying about 45 students of the Presbyterian Nurses Training College, Bawku, has been attacked by two gunmen on motorbikes near Binduri in the Upper East Region.

A number of students who were injured due to the attack have been rushed to the Bawku Presbyterian Hospital for treatment.

This incident is said to have occurred Friday afternoon, and follows the killing of five persons within the past 48 hours.

Media reports indicate that, the students who have just vacated were heading towards Bolgatanga when they were ambushed by the two men on motorbikes.

The bus was reportedly fired upon close to the police barrier at Binduri, according to JoyNews’ Upper East correspondent, Albert Sore.

There were no deaths.

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Bawku, Amadu Hamza, confirmed the incident to Evans Mensah on Joy FM’s Top Story and said the rest of the students who escaped unhurt have been escorted by the police to Bolgatanga.

Asked what might have triggered the attack, he said gunshots may be heard in Bawku without a cause.

“Bawku has just been like that, at any time or any day, someone can just get up with a gun and start firing at you. By the time the military or police get there the person is gone,” he added.

MP Accused Military of killing

In a related development, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has accused the military of killing three young men without any reason.

He has dismissed claims that the military is not involved in the killing of three individuals in the constituency.

According to him, he finds it difficult to comprehend why the military would engage in such actions, emphasising the need for them to collaborate with constituents to build trust in the community.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, January 20, Mr. Ayariga stated that the security agencies are responsible for the killings, and are thus creating a situation where the community resists cooperation with law enforcement.

“I find it totally unacceptable that the military should behave the way that they have in Bawku, particularly the way that these three young men were killed.

“They were murdered because the military actually apprehended them and they had no reason to shoot and kill these three young men and so I find that totally unacceptable and we will continue to demand accountability on the part of the security agencies,” he stressed.

When asked what led to the killing of the three young men, the Bawku Central MP asserted that “Young men were sitting in their base and having their conversation, and then the military pounced on them. One escaped, they shot and missed and then the three that were there, they apprehended them, beat them up and then they shot them.”

Addressing the notion that it is inconceivable for the military to attack, shoot, and kill without provocation, Mr.Ayariga stated, “Exactly that is why I’m condemning them because they should produce the provocation – what was the provocation?

He explained that the military apprehended and killed the individuals without justification, and eyewitnesses, including the local assemblyman, have attested to the events.

“I’m saying on authority that there are eyewitnesses – the assemblyman for the area is alive; he came out and pleaded with the soldiers to release the boys, and they refused, so there are witnesses.

“So obviously, the military is the one to produce the provocations. What provoked them to the point where, after they had apprehended them, even if they were running away and you fired, you could have concocted the story but you arrested them, so on what basis did you decide to shoot them,” Mr. Ayariga asked.

He condemned the military’s actions and stressed the need for an explanation of the provocations that led to the shootings.

GAF Denies Allegation

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has denied allegations that soldiers deployed on Operation Maida Buuri to restore calm in the area have killed three innocent Kusasi youth at Sabongari, a suburb of Bawku.

In a press release dated January 20, 2024 and signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie said, “It is also alleged that the assailants were initially held in custody by own troops and subsequently executed. It was further suggested that the Missiga Assemblyman personally approached the Bawku Detachment at about 1930hrs to negotiate the release of the deceased assailants. GAF wishes to categorically state that these allegations are false and unfounded.”

GAF assured the general public of its fervent commitment to protecting the citizenry.

Source: http://Anchorghana.com