Residents of Bawku in the Upper East Region of Ghana have been advised to avoid taking up arms, and rising up against the military, which could result in more civilian deaths.
At least 10 residents were reportedly killed on Wednesday.
Some Members of Parliament from the area accused the military of carrying out extrajudicial killings of innocent citizens.
The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga is among those who have accused the military of murder and has demanded investigations into what he called “inhuman” and “dastardly act”.
“The military shot at them and in the process killed six civilians. A little boy who also run to hide behind some grasses was also shot. The grass caught fire and burnt him to death, making the number 7,” the MP alleged on Wednesday, February 1.
But the Ghana Armed Forces has denied the allegations in a statement to the press on Thursday.
The statement released from the military general headquarters in Accra “categorically states that these allegations are false and unfounded.”
It however admitted “neutralizing” some gunmen, which security analysts have interpreted as killing – in the case of happening in Bawku.
“Troops engaged them and neutralized six (6) armed men. During the engagement, some armed men took cover in a mud house within the immediate vicinity to engage the Team,” the military said.
Meanwhile the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), which is the highest security decision-making body in the region, has sympathized with the bereaved families.
It attributed what it said are unfortunate incidents to the result of the conflicts which has been ongoing in the Bawku area for some time now.
“REGSEC appeals to both factions to desist from any attempt to engage the military in combat, since that will be catastrophic on the part of the civilians. We should therefore be charting a peaceful roadmap for Bawku.”
It therefore admonished the people there to remain calm as it works to bring lasting peace to the troubled area.
The Council further advised residents of Bawku and its environs to adhere to all the security measures it has put in place.
Read also: Military denies killing residents of Bawku; says it only neutralised gunmen
