Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr. Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru, has condemned the government’s decision to impose a curfew on Walewale and its environs in the North East Region.
The curfew, which restricts movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am, was imposed following two incidents allegedly connected to the Bawku crisis in the Walewale constituency.
Dr. Abdul-Kabiru’s outrage stems from the government’s failure to consult with him and other stakeholders from the affected area.
Instead, the Interior Ministry and Ministry of Defense only engaged with MPs from the Bawku area, leaving others feeling marginalized and ignored.
This selective engagement has led Dr. Abdul-Kabiru to question the government’s true intentions, suggesting that the curfew is a “politically motivated” move aimed at punishing innocent civilians.
The MP’s concerns are not unfounded. Since December 2021, there have been at least 25 attacks on travelers in the area, with three occurring in the last month alone.
Despite this, the government has only imposed a curfew on Walewale, leaving other affected areas such as Binduri, Zebilla, and Garu untouched.
This selective application of security measures has raised concerns that the lives of travelers to and from Bawku are not being taken seriously.
Furthermore, Dr. Abdul-Kabiru has argued that the curfew is not an effective solution to the underlying security issues.
He proposes that the government should instead focus on enhancing highway patrols and providing security escorts for travelers.
This approach, he believes, would provide better protection for civilians and businesses, rather than simply restricting movement.
The situation on the ground is dire, with reports of military brutality and human rights abuses.
Dr. Abdul-Kabiru has alleged that military personnel have tortured civilians in Kukua, Loagri, Walewale, Gbimsi, and Wulugu communities, resulting in one death and several injuries.
He has vowed to work with the families of the victims to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable.
In a statement, the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has defended the government’s decision, calling on the people of Walewale to exercise restraint and cooperate with security agencies.
However, Dr. Abdul-Kabiru remains unconvinced, arguing that the curfew is a “deliberate misunderstanding” of the situation and that the people of Walewale are being unfairly punished.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
