The death toll from the explosion at Hamile, a border town in the Upper West Region, and the resulting clashes has increased to four. The incident involved suspected smugglers and officers from the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), leaving four dead and several others injured. The fatalities from Tuesday’s event at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border include two immigration officers and two suspected smugglers.
According to initial reports, the incident began when immigration officers spotted three individuals they suspected of smuggling, using an unauthorised route toward Burkina Faso. The suspects were identified as two teenagers riding a tricycle loaded with sand, accompanied by an elderly man on a motorcycle believed to be their guide.
Officers pursued the suspects, who allegedly fired shots at the officers during the chase. The situation escalated when gunfire struck what is believed to have been explosives in the tricycle, causing a deadly blast.
The explosion killed the two teenagers and one immigration officer instantly. Another officer, who suffered critical injuries, was taken to Nandom Hospital but later died. The elderly man also sustained serious injuries and is receiving medical treatment, according to Sahada Dramani reporting from the Upper West Region.
Retaliatory strike
The incident has reportedly led to increased violence, as some frustrated youth in the community allegedly attacked immigration officers in retaliation for the deaths. In the confrontation, the officers reportedly returned fire, resulting in around 10 individuals being injured. Those injured were promptly taken to Nandom Hospital for treatment. This situation has escalated tensions in the border community, with reports indicating that groups of youth have gathered in parts of Hamile to protest the deaths.
In response, the military has been deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further violence. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion, the type of suspected explosive materials involved, and the events that led to the deaths and subsequent clashes.
Community leaders and other stakeholders are actively engaging residents to help calm tensions and restore normalcy. Additionally, the government has imposed a curfew on Hamile township and its surrounding communities in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region. The curfew, which takes immediate effect, will be in place from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
