Border security officers in the Tempane District have once again come under assault as gunmen opened fire on two Ghana Immigration Service personnel on Sunday night, resulting in the death of one officer and leaving the other severely wounded.
The incident occurred along the Nangani stretch of the Ghana–Burkina Faso frontier between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., close to an immigration checkpoint. Preliminary information suggests that a group of unidentified men, believed to be criminal elements linked to activities around the Bawku enclave, staged the ambush as the officers were heading home from duty on a motorbike.
Both officers suffered multiple gunshot injuries, with one reportedly sustaining a fractured leg. They were quickly transported to Blessing Hospital at Wedama for urgent medical care before being transferred to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital for advanced treatment. One of the victims was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the other is currently battling for his life under close medical supervision.
Investigators have established that the attackers made off with the victims’ service rifles before fleeing into the dark. Security agencies are yet to determine the motivation behind the attack, though rising cross-border crimes in the Upper East Region remain a top concern.
Local authorities fear that ongoing instability across the Sahel region, coupled with long-running tensions in parts of the Bawku area, is creating fertile ground for banditry, smuggling operations and incursions by extremist elements. Analysts have previously cautioned that border communities in this zone are increasingly exposed to high-risk security threats.
In response to the assault, a request has been placed for military reinforcements to support existing patrol teams and secure the area. The District Chief Executive has confirmed that a coordinated crackdown is underway to track down the gunmen and restore public confidence.
Community members are urging a stronger presence of security forces along the border to prevent further attacks on officers and civilians alike.
