Garu MP Demands Military Withdrawal from Bawku Over Alleged Civilian Abuse

Dr. Thomas Anaba, Member of Parliament for Garu, is calling for the immediate removal of military personnel deployed in Bawku and nearby areas, citing repeated instances of alleged brutality against civilians.

In an interview with Citi News on Monday, July 14, Dr. Anaba strongly condemned what he described as the military’s excessive use of force, particularly referencing the reported demolition of a statue of Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, the Zugran (overlord) of the Kusaug Traditional Area.

He described the act as highly disrespectful and warned it could provoke renewed conflict in the already volatile region.

 

“I am demanding the immediate withdrawal of all military personnel from Bawku. The Defence Ministry and military leadership must ensure the statue is reconstructed and a formal apology issued to the Zugran. Failing this, the situation could spiral out of control — the youth are extremely upset,” he warned.

Dr. Anaba stressed that the military’s primary role is to safeguard civilians, not to intimidate or harm them. “If someone misbehaves, deal with that individual using proper intelligence — don’t unleash force on the entire community,” he stated.

He accused the military of longstanding misconduct and partiality in Bawku, calling for a complete overhaul of the command structure overseeing operations in the area.

“The military’s behavior in Bawku is unjustified and has always reflected abuse of power. There must be a full restructuring. A new, impartial team should be deployed to ensure fairness and professionalism,” he said.

Dr. Anaba also condemned a separate shooting incident involving an unknown assailant targeting a military-escorted vehicle. While urging calm among residents, he called on state institutions to intervene swiftly to prevent further escalation.