The Member of Parliament for Yagaba-Kubori Constituency, Mustapha Ussif, has voiced deep concern over recent military actions in Walewale that have affected civilians in the wake of the Bawku Chieftaincy crisis.
Following the burning of a vehicle and the reported loss of two lives, there are allegations that armed military personnel entered Walewale and its surrounding communities, resulting in violent incidents against residents. Many have since required medical attention.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Ussif condemned the attacks on civilians traveling on buses, calling them “unacceptable,” and criticized the military’s response as “excessive.” He urged all parties involved to exercise restraint and work together to restore peace in the community.
He also called on the military and relevant security agencies to prioritize intelligence-gathering to identify those responsible for the attacks, rather than resorting to broad actions that may unintentionally harm innocent civilians.
Below is the statement by Mustapha Ussif on his Facebook page:
MASS MILITARY BRUTALITIES OF INNOCENT CITIZENS IN WALEWALE AND ITS ENVIRONS
It has come to our attention that the military has unleashed brutal attacks on innocent civilians in Walewale and its environs. These unprovoked acts of violence against unarmed citizens are deeply troubling and must be condemned in the strongest terms. No justification exists for such blatant abuse of power, which has led to the loss of innocent lives and many injured.
To subject innocent civilians to mass brutalities and inflict injuries on them, is a high-handed approach by the military, which is as condemnable and unacceptable as the attacks of vehicles carrying innocent civilians.
Rather than engage in such brutish and random mass beatings of innocent civilians, the military, and other security agencies, ought to deploy intelligence to fish out those responsible for the attacks on buses.
Restoration of peace should be the ultimate objective of everyone, and not brute show of force against defenceless civilians, whether in a bus or on the ground.
It is therefore, important for all forms of attacks to cease, and for calm to be restored, in order to give the mediation team, led by His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the required support and cooperation, by all stakeholders.
In the interim, we urge the Minister of Interior to review, critically, the decision to impose curfew in Walewale and its environs.
Hon Mustapha Ussif (MP
Yagaba/Kubori Constituency