Law student petitions CHRAJ over alleged military killing of Gbewaa Training College lecturer in Bawku

A Ghana School of Law student, Dauda Ali Ayamba, has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate alleged killings and military brutality against unarmed civilians in Bawku and its surrounding areas.

In a petition dated September 22, 2026, and addressed to the Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr Ayamba cited the alleged killing of a lecturer at Gbewaa College of Education, Mr Issaka Abdulai, who was also a PhD candidate in the Science Department.

According to the petition, Mr Abdulai was returning from a visit to friends on September 11, 2026, when he allegedly remained outside beyond the prescribed curfew hours and was subjected to severe physical assault by some military personnel within the Bawku Municipality.

The petition alleged that his body was subsequently dumped at the old Bawku Education Directorate, near the Bawku Highways Authority, and that he was pronounced dead on September 12, 2026.

Mr Ayamba said he condemned all forms of criminal activity and violations of curfew directives, while commending security personnel who were professionally maintaining law and order in Bawku.

However, he said that if the allegations surrounding Mr Abdulai’s death were established, they would raise serious concerns about the proportionality of force and respect for fundamental human rights.

“This tragic incident has understandably heightened tensions in Bawku, particularly after approximately six months of sustained relative peace in the area,” the petition stated.

The petitioner also referred to a previous petition filed by the Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, now Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, on February 3, 2023, concerning the deaths of six persons at Zorgun.

According to Mr Ayamba, the families of those victims were yet to receive justice.

He further alleged that three other individuals, including relatives of his, were rounded up without provocation and killed near a mosque at Sabon Gari.

The petition also alleged that military vehicles had run over civilians at several locations within the Kusaug enclave, including Pusiga, Binduri and Zebilla, resulting in four deaths.

Mr Ayamba is asking CHRAJ to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Abdulai and examine allegations of excessive use of force, arbitrary killings and torture against civilians.

He is also seeking a review of previous cases, including the Zorgun incident, and wants the Commission to identify personnel found culpable and recommend appropriate prosecution or disciplinary action.

The petitioner further called for justice and appropriate remedies for victims and their families, including compensation for the widow and children of Mr Abdulai.

He also wants CHRAJ to make its findings public as a means of restoring public confidence.

Mr Ayamba emphasised that his petition was not intended to undermine the work of the Ghana Armed Forces but rather to ensure that law enforcement was carried out in accordance with the Constitution, respect for human dignity and the rule of law.

CHRAJ is yet to respond to the petition.