…as Faction Demands Seidu Abagre Arrest
By Prince Ahenkorah
The New Republic’s continued coverage of the long-standing and intensifying conflict in Bawku, has revealed increasing pressure being mounted on the Ghana Police Service, particularly the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to arrest Seidu Abagre Kulig, the alleged imposter.
Sources of The New Republic within the Bawku enclave, indicated that, “During the IGP’s visit last week to the Zug-Raan Palace, the chief made an appeal to him to arrest the rival chief for peace to return to Bawku.”
The source added, “Without the arrest of Seidu Abagre, who is seen as an imposter, the situation in Bawku will continue to escalate.”
According to the source, the plea of the Kusaug people is simple; they want the imposter Seidu Abagre arrested so that peace can prevail in Bawku.
The source, further highlighted that “Bawku is a business town. It serves as the economic heart of the entire Kusaug Traditional Area, which includes Pusiga, Binduri, Zebilla, Garu, Tempane, and Bawku Central itself.”
The conflict, the source recounted, resurfaced around November 2021 when the government allowed the Mamprusis to perform a funeral ceremony for a deceased chief who had passed away over 40 years ago.
“It was after the funeral that the Mamprusis decided to go to Nayiri to install a rival chief in February 2024,” the source reiterated.
Reports indicate that, after the enskinment of the rival Bawku Naba, the Bolgatanga High Court, issued a warrant for the arrest of the rival Bawku Naba, Seidu Abagre Kulig.
In February 2023, the Ministry of Information, under the leadership of Kwadwo Oppong Nkrumah, released a statement, declaring the enskinment of Seidu Abagre, illegal and a threat to national security.
The statement, also directed security agencies to arrest any person parading himself as Bawku Naba, apart from the duly enskinned Zug-Raan, Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II.
The source affirmed this report, adding that Seidu Abagre was brought into Bawku under heavy security escort, made up of police and soldiers, around 10 p.m., during curfew hours.
“It was that government backed action, importing Seidu Abagre into Bawku during curfew that prompted the Paramount Chief of the Kusaug Kingdom and his council of elders to establish a separate market from the government-run market in Bawku. This market, known as the Azoka Market or Alluakimnor Market, is where the police now regularly escort Mamprusis to trade,” the source explained, highlighting the growing division between Kusaug and Mamprusi communities.
The source continued, “The youth of the Kusaug community began blocking police escorts and Mamprusi traders on their way to the Azoka Market. They argued that the security forces were disobeying the orders of the Zug-Raan, Bawku Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, and should not be leading the Mamprusis into the Kusasi market. This confrontation led to the tragic loss of a Kusasi man named Fuseini, who was allegedly shot by a police officer.”
Following the death of Fuseini, the Kusaug people strongly voiced their concerns, declaring that the security forces could not remain in Bawku while ignoring the authority of the Zug-Raan and harming innocent civilians.
“That incident became the turning point,” the source said. “It triggered a wave of anger and protests that led to the burning of police residences and attacks on police barracks in recent days.”
The situation worsened further when two police officers were killed last Sunday. They were reportedly caught riding motorcycles during curfew hours in the Binduri District, an act that directly led to their deaths, according to local sources.
The source reiterated, “During the IGP’s recent visit to the Zug-Raan Palace, the chief once again appealed for the arrest of the rival chief to restore peace to Bawku. Without the arrest of Seidu Abagre, whom the Kusaug people see as an imposter, the already fragile situation will only continue to escalate.”