Majority Leader and MP for Bawku Central Mahama Ayariga has expressed grave concern over the response of the military over the death of a military officer which he said has turned into a violent assault on civilians.
He alleged that soldiers have been raiding homes, market places, and public spaces, indiscriminately beating men, women, children, and the elderly.
According to him, residents who were unable to flee have reportedly suffered injuries, and properties, including television sets, refrigerators, bicycles, and other personal belongings, have been destroyed.
He said despite multiple calls to military officials urging them to halt the attacks, the brutalities have continued, with reports of ongoing assaults as of Tuesday morning.
Mr. Ayariga described the actions of the military as unacceptable and damaging to the reputation of the security forces.
He stressed that such operations only instill fear among residents rather than restore order.
He argued that the person responsible for the soldier’s death is unlikely to be among the innocent civilians being beaten and mistreated by the soldiers.
He called on the military high command to withdraw their troops immediately and ensure that their personnel operate within the confines of the law.
The Bawku Central MP further warned that such heavy-handed measures would not bring back the life lost but would instead deepen tensions and resentment among the people.
He urged for a more strategic approach to handling security concerns in the area, one that prioritizes investigations and community engagement rather than indiscriminate force.
Mr. Ayariga has called on Parliament to support his plea for an immediate cessation of the military’s actions, insisting that peace and stability in Bawku can only be achieved through lawful and humane enforcement measures.
