Amadu Hamza Zanga, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Bawku, asserted that the three young men killed by soldiers in Bawku were involved in a gunfight with the military. The MCE disclosed this information during an interview on JoyNews’ Newsfile, explaining that the soldiers had an exchange with the young men who initiated the gunfire.

Mr. Zanga recounted that he heard gunshots near his home on the day of the incident and consulted the military commander in the area for details. The MCE stated that the military commander informed him that the deceased men had attacked the officers, prompting the soldiers to retaliate. However, the cause of the gunfight was not disclosed.

While Mr. Zanga acknowledged that the details were challenging to ascertain due to his unfamiliarity with the area, he emphasized that the military commander reported that the soldiers fired back in response to the attack, resulting in the death of the three individuals.

The MCE linked the incident to a series of recent cases in Bawku, including the killing of one man, a Mamprusi man, and the shooting of six people, which he believed may have contributed to the heightened tension in the area.

Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, disputed the MCE’s claims, asserting that eyewitnesses confirmed the innocence of the deceased young men. He insisted that the military apprehended and killed the individuals without provocation, refuting the notion of a gunfight initiated by the victims.