Interior Ministry imposes 6 to 6 curfew on Karaga, Gushegu

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, acting on the advice of the National Security Council and by Executive Instrument, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Karaga township and its surrounding communities in the Karaga District of the Northern Region.

The curfew, which takes immediate effect, will run daily from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

A similar directive has been extended to several communities in the Gushegu District, also in the Northern Region. The affected areas include Paboni, Yidaani, Kukpok, Busun No.1, Busun No.2, Nagnani, Nayagile, Donbin, Kolik, Tinyongu and Klokpan.

In a statement, the Interior Minister urged chiefs, elders, opinion leaders and the youth to remain calm and exercise restraint, encouraging them to adopt peaceful means in addressing the challenges confronting the area.

The statement also announced a total ban on the possession of arms, ammunition and other offensive weapons within Karaga and its environs. It warned that anyone found in possession of such items would be arrested and prosecuted.

The security measures follow tensions linked to chieftaincy disputes in Karaga. After the death of the Paramount Chief, the Yaa Naa installed Naa Abdulai Naatogma as the new Paramount Chief in accordance with the Dagbon chieftaincy resolution roadmap.

However, the late chief’s regent, Sumani Mahama, reportedly declared himself successor, a move later overturned by the Judicial Committee of the Northern Regional House of Chiefs.

Following the regent’s death, his son, who was subsequently installed as regent, is said to have continued to assert a claim to the skin. He allegedly attempted to enskin a warrior chief but was prevented by National Security operatives.

Meanwhile, the Christian Tetteh Yohuno has deployed a special team of operational officers and armoured vehicles to Karaga and Gushegu to strengthen security in response to recent clashes.

The reinforcement team is expected to work with the Northern Regional Police Command to intensify patrols and ensure calm in the affected communities.