Assembly Members in the Tempane District have condemned what they described as the “gruesome” murder of an Immigration Officer and alleged military brutalities inflicted on innocent civilians in parts of the district.
In a statement jointly signed by 25 Assembly Members and copied to the Ghana News Agency, the group expressed outrage at the killing of one Immigration Officer and the injury of another, who were shot by unknown gunmen at Nagani, a border community near Togo, on November 2, 2025.
“It is extremely sad hearing the news that two Immigration Officers were shot by unknown assailants. This act, we condemn in no uncertain terms,” the statement said.
The statement extended condolences to the Ghana Immigration Service and the bereaved family, and wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.
However, the situation in the district worsened the following day when military personnel allegedly invaded some communities, including Basyonde, Bugnating and Domeabra, and assaulted residents.
The statement alleged that soldiers surrounded the Basyonde market on a regular market day, attacking and brutalising traders and passersby indiscriminately.
Several people reportedly sustained injuries and sought treatment at the Basyonde Health Centre, while others fled their homes in fear.
“Many residents took to their heels, leaving behind their goods and property. The physically challenged who could not flee are now living in fear, despair and anxiety,” the statement said.
It further alleged that another group of armed men in military uniform stormed “Rasta Drinking Spot” at Bugnating, where they “attacked and maimed everyone seen at the spot and arrested several young men,” before proceeding to Domeabra, near the Tempane Chief’s Palace, where more residents were allegedly assaulted and detained.
It questioned the rationale behind what they termed “undemocratic and inhumane” actions by the military, arguing that the affected communities had long cooperated with state security agencies in maintaining peace and border vigilance.
“If the military’s actions are connected to the November 2 shooting incident, then one must ask what intelligence informed such a wide-ranging assault on innocent people across the district,” the statement queried.
The statement described the attacks as “an unintelligent and lazy approach to dealing with a volatile border security situation,” stressing that professional and intelligence-led operations were critical to maintaining peace in border areas.
It said the incident had “deeply shaken the trust between the people and the security services,” adding that “citizens who had always supported security operations now felt betrayed and unsafe.”
It described the military assault as “unjustifiable and unacceptable. No one should be beaten or humiliated simply because a crime occurred somewhere in the district. Our people deserve protection, not persecution.”
The statement appealed to government and the Ghana Armed Forces to act swiftly to restore confidence and justice.
It also called for thorough investigations into both the killing of the Immigration Officer and the alleged military brutalities, the prosecution of those responsible, and compensation for victims.
The statement also urged the security agencies to ensure the humane treatment of persons arrested during the operations and to settle the medical bills of all those injured.
“As representatives of our people, we are committed to working through every legitimate means to ensure that justice is served. Our prayer is with the victims of this heinous crime both from within and outside our district,” the statement added.
The statement was copied to the President, the Ministers of Defence and Interior, the Upper East Regional Minister, and all relevant security agencies.
