A lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has pointed to security intelligence lapses as a possible factor contributing to the renewed conflict in Bawku.
Dr. Victor Doke argued that inadequate intelligence monitoring and preventive measures might have allowed the recent surge of violence, resulting in the deaths of approximately 19 individuals.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, Dr. Doke highlighted the longstanding nature of the Bawku conflict, stressing that it is a well-documented and well-understood issue among both national security agencies and local stakeholders.
He expressed concerns about the preparedness of security services, given the prior knowledge of tensions in the area.
“I agree strongly that there was some sort of lapse with regards to intelligence because the conflict is a decades-old conflict that every stakeholder is aware of and knows of,” Dr. Doke said.
Reflecting on the recent incident, Dr. Doke questioned the apparent gaps in intelligence that allowed a figure like Alhaji Seidu, a known rival chief connected to the ongoing conflict, to enter Bawku undetected.
According to Dr. Doke, this oversight raises significant concerns about how closely intelligence was monitoring high-risk individuals and ongoing developments in the area.
“Even if it’s not the current crop of security heads on this case, there is some sort of notes that people come in and have read. It would have been a comprehensive intelligence strategy with regards to one, monitoring events,” he said.
Dr. Doke suggested that failure to track movements and events, including press conferences and statements by relevant figures, has been a missed opportunity for intelligence gathering.
“How about monitoring those press conferences, picking up the sources, picking up individuals, and interrogating them to know where Seidu is? We didn’t do that,” he noted.
Dr. Doke recalled an earlier warning he gave in February 2023 about the potential consequences if Seidu were allowed back into Bawku.
“I mentioned that Seidu should not be allowed to enter Bawku; otherwise, there would be consequences. Now the unfortunate has happened. He entered, and then we saw the aftermath—three days of cacophonous shootings and disruptions in Bawku,” he reflected.
With security personnel already stationed in Bawku, Dr. Doke questioned how Seidu’s entry went unnoticed, calling it a severe oversight.
“We have a number of security services manning these areas. How is it that Seidu came into Bawku unnoticed? There are a lot of questions that need to be answered,” he stated.
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