The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central has lodged a complaint with the Criminal and Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) pertaining to alleged acts of violation of the human rights of some residents of Bawku by the military.
The complaint was lodged under Regulation 2(2)(a) and (b) of C.I 67 and on behalf of some residents of Bawku.
He is demanding among other remedies a compensation of GH¢ 500,000.00 for each and every one of those killed to be paid to their immediate families as punitive damage and reasonable sums for the injured.
This follows alleged brutalities meted out to some residents of Bawku by soldiers leading to deaths and various degrees of gunshot injuries.
In a statement the MP, Mahama Ayariga, said among the human rights violated included the sacred right to life of 10 citizens who were shot to death by soldiers engaged in Operation Gongong in Bawku on Tuesday 31st January and Wednesday 1st February 2023.
“Children’s rights, Women’s rights and property rights were violated. The military do not deny shooting and killing these residents of Bawku. A statement issued by the military authorities on 2nd February 2023 admitted responsibility for the killings.”
“I reject the self-serving cover-up account of the circumstances surrounding the brutal killings contained in the statement of the Ghana Armed Forces engaged in Operation Gongong and hereby call for an investigation by the CHRAJ so that eyewitnesses can give an accurate account of the brutality with which the military executed the killings,” the statement said.
The incidents occurred on the 1st of February 2023. An earlier killing of 2 persons in Patelmi in Bawku by members of the Ghana Armed Forces occurred on 26th of January 2023.
The dead include Imoro Salifu, Dauda Salifu, Akudugu Bugnaba Karim, Abunbiana Madi, Kassim Issah, Adamu Sumaila, Sumaila Jafaru, Ndeego Mumuni, Haruna kudus and Ayuma Eliasu.
According to him, from the accounts of the shooting incidents the fundamental human rights to life enshrined in article 13 of the Constitution of Ghana have been violated in relation to each of the deceased including Children’s rights under article 28, property and women rights.
“The military have violated every known international human rights protocol governing military intervention in civilian armed conflict,” he added.
Besides the monetary compensation other remedies being pursued by Mahama Ayariga include restraining the members of the Ghana Armed Forces from further acts of brutality in Bawku in the exercise of their responsibilities to maintain peace in Bawku; and adequate compensation to those who have suffered physical harm.
The following have been identified as the victims of the military killings and brutalities:
- Imoro Salifu
Age: 59 years
House No: J25, Patelmi, Bawku Survived by 2 wives and 6 children.
Incident occurred in Patelmi. Deceased was shot by soldiers in front of his house at about 8pm on 26th January 2023. - Dauda Salifu
Age: 60 years.
House No: J24 Patelmi, Bawku. Survived by a wife and 5 children. Incident occurred in Patelmi.
Deceased was shot and killed by men In military uniform in front of his house at about 8pm on 26th of January 2023. - Akudugu Bugnaba Karim
A 31 years old nurse.
Address:MC 146 songuri- missiga, Bawku
Married and survived by 3 children Mother: Issifu Ayishetu (alive) Father: Akudugu Issifu (alive)
He dies of gun shot wounds.
He was seen being chased by men wearing military uniforms by foot while others were in the armor vehicle equally chasing him too.
Location of incident was in a valley near Sunguri primary school - Abunbiana Madi
Age: 33
Address: Songuri missiga, hse no Mc147 Wives: 3
Children: 6
Father: Mamudu Abunbiana (alive) Mother: Mamudu Salamatu (alive) Occupation: motorcycle mechanic
Died of gunshot wounds by the military. Men wearing military uniforms were seen chasing him on foot while some were in the armor vehicle chasing and shooting.
Location: at a valley near Sunguri primary school. - Kassim Issah
Age: 33
Address: House No. ME43, Zoogin Missiga Married with 1 child
Father: (deceased)
Mother Kassim Habiba (alive)
Died of military gunshots wounds on his head.
Location of incident was the valley near Songuri primary school. He was on top of a mongo tree when he was shot.
They wore military uniforms with three armor vehicles and surrounded the valley full of mongo trees. - Adamu Sumaila
Age: 32
Address: House No. ME43 Baratinga, Missiga. Married with 2 wives.
Children: 7
Mother: (deceased) Father: (deceased)
Died of gunshots by the members of the military.
Location of the incident was the valley near Songuri primary school. He was fetching water with a donkey cat to build when the military shot him. - Sumaila Jafaru
Age: 12
Address: ME 32, Baratinga, Missiga.
His mother was also sustained wounds in her left hand from the gun shots of the military and is receiving medical treatment.
His father had also been killed by the military
The military burned Sumaila Jafaru in a room full of hay where he had taken refuge.
The incident occurred in their house. The deceased mother resisted and that is how they shot her in the hand. - Ndeego Mumuni
Age: 39
Address: ME23, Baratinga, Missiga. Married with one wife.
Children: 5 Father: (deceased) Mother:(deceased)
Died of gunshot wounds inflicted by the military. He was in his garden watering his garden plants.
Location of incident was his garden in the valley near Sunguri primary school. - Haruna kudus
Age: 17
Address: House No. ME36 Zoogin, Missiga Died of gunshots by the military
Incident was at the valley near Songuri primary school. - Ayuma Eliasu
Age: 37
Address: Sarabogo, Pusiga Married with 2 wives Children:7
Died of gunshot wounds inflicted by the military.
