Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has strongly condemned alleged military violence against civilians in Bawku on Wednesday, following the murder of a soldier a few days prior.
“Ransacking homes, beating innocent civilians, and holding the entire town to ransom cannot be justified. The rule of law must prevail, and those responsible for maintaining order should never engage in such acts of violence,” he stated.
Mr. Ayariga, the Majority Leader in Parliament, in a brief release on March 19, labelled the military’s actions as unacceptable, voicing grave concern over reports of women, children, and elderly residents who were subjected to violence following the murder of the military officer by an unknown gunman.
The MP pledged to demand full accountability from military officials regarding their behaviour during this incident.
While recognising the tragic loss of the military officer, Ayariga asserted that the subsequent attacks on innocent civilians cannot be justified.
“I regret the accidental killing of a military personnel, and I condemn that dastardly act,” he stated.
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Ayariga, a native of the area, is calling on military leaders and local authorities to work together to investigate the soldier’s murder instead of engaging in what he referred to as indiscriminate aggression.
He also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased soldier while urging restraint from everyone involved.
Reflecting on the situation, he expressed disappointment that his earlier calls for the military to exercise caution went unheeded.
“I regret that the military command did not heed my appeal not to react violently, and they went ahead to do what they did. We need to work together to restore peace.”
Looking to the future, Mr. Ayariga expressed hope that all parties involved in the Bawku conflict will place their trust in the peace mediation efforts of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II.
“I have confidence that all sides will repose trust in His Majesty the Asantehene to bring finality to the situation in Bawku and end the violence we are experiencing,” he stated.
The MP reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for peace and ensuring that justice is achieved for the victims of both the initial attack and the military’s response.
