The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has revealed that a number of police officers stationed in the troubled Bawku area are considering quitting the service if they are not reposted to safer locations.

According to the Minister, the deteriorating security conditions have turned deployments in the enclave into high-risk assignments, as law enforcement officers manning checkpoints have come under sustained attacks, resulting in multiple fatalities over the past three months.

Briefing Parliament on Tuesday, February 10, Mr. Muntaka appealed to Members of Parliament whose constituencies are affected by the unrest to work hand-in-hand with security agencies to help de-escalate tensions and improve safety for officers on duty.

He disclosed that fear among personnel has reached alarming levels, with some officers indicating their readiness to resign rather than remain in the area. He attributed this to what he described as a lack of cooperation from sections of the local population, noting that armed assailants have openly targeted police officers at checkpoints.

The Interior Minister further explained that, at the height of the violence, the Inspector-General of Police was compelled to temporarily pull officers away from checkpoints to prevent further loss of life.

However, he emphasized that the move was never meant to be permanent, insisting that the solution lies not in retreat but in strengthening protection for officers, including the deployment of armoured vehicles.

Mr. Muntaka stressed that restoring peace in Bawku requires collective responsibility, urging lawmakers to actively support security personnel in creating a conducive environment for them to carry out their duties effectively.

His comments underscore the growing dangers confronting security forces in Bawku, as persistent instability continues to threaten both civilian lives and law enforcement efforts, renewing calls for deeper collaboration among Parliament, traditional authorities, and security agencies to bring lasting calm to the area.