A number of police officers deployed to the Bawku enclave have threatened to resign if they are not transferred from the area, according to the Minister of Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka.

He explained that the decision by some officers stems from the dangers they face, noting that several personnel, including those stationed at checkpoints, have been shot and killed in the past three months amid the ongoing unrest.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on February 10, 2026, Muntaka appealed to MPs from the affected communities to help create a safer and more supportive environment for security officers to perform their duties.

Police officer killed during armed robbery on Zebilla-Widnaba road

The minister indicated that some residents in the town have not been cooperative, with instances of open gunfire directed at security personnel.

He said the situation became so dire at one point that the Inspector General of Police withdrew officers from checkpoints in Bawku.

Muntaka noted that he disagreed with that approach and urged the IGP to instead reinforce the officers with the necessary logistics, including armoured vehicles, rather than pulling them out.

“I have had instances where some officers say that if you don’t transfer me from that area, I will rather resign. Why? Because the citizens themselves over there are not helpful. To the extent that people have the courage to go and openly fire at police officers and kill them…at the checkpoints. At a point in time, the IGP had to withdraw all police officers from checkpoints.

“I had to insist that the answer is not to withdraw but rather position them with armored vehicles. As MPs, we need to work with these security people so that we will be able to create an enabling environment within the area so they can assist and help us,” he said.

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The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has revealed that several police officers in the Bawku enclave have threatened to resign if their transfer requests are not granted. He noted that officers, including those at checkpoints, have been shot and killed in the… pic.twitter.com/tfDVwuLodW

— CITI FM 97.3 (@Citi973) February 10, 2026