The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) Management and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga have condemned the killing an immigration officer at Bawku in the Upper East Region.
The three immigration officers were from Bawku to Missiga when their vehicle was shot at by unknown gunmen, resulting in the death of 42-year-old Philip Motey, said to be a nephew of Kweku Motey Akpadzi, former Executive Director of the anti-corruption body, the Economic and Organised Crimes Office (EOCO).
While, describing the act as most reprehensible and advised that it should not be repeated, the legislator called on the security agencies to investigate the matter and hunt down the perpetrators.
The GIS also indicated that the Service will collaborate with other security agencies to apprehend the culprits.
The two other officers, Eric Ayibiya, 30, and Laurence Afri, 42, were shot multiple times and are being treated at the Bawku Presbyterian hospital.
The incident occurred on Monday, April 3, 2023. No arrest has been made yet, and the GIS has confirmed the shootings in a statement saying the officers who were shot, were off-duty and driving a private car at the time of the shooting.
The Service in its statement condemned the dastardly act and disclosed that a “high-powered delegation” will be sent to Bawku to review the security situation to ensure the safety of officers in the Command.
“The Ghana Immigration Service Management condemns the dastardly attack in no uncertain terms and wishes to assure all Officers and Men that the Service will take necessary measures to ensure their safety. Meanwhile, a high-powered delegation is scheduled to visit the Sector Command to review the security situation in relation to the operations of Immigration Officers in the Command.”
It also indicated that the Service will collaborate with other security agencies to apprehend the culprits.
“The GIS, the Ghana Police Service and other agencies will collaborate to investigate and find the culprits of the attack. The Service wishes to assure the general public that its personnel are resolute and will continue to protect the borders against the infiltration of criminal elements.”
The reasons for the shootings are unknown but some residents blamed the killings on the long-running Bawku ethnic conflict.
Mahama Ayariga in a statement said, “I condemn in very strong terms the shooting, injuring and killing of some members of the security agencies in Bawku on Monday 3rd April 2023. This is most reprehensible and should not be repeated again. An investigation into the matter must be conducted, and the perpetrators brought to book”.
The MP, in his statement narrated that the immigration personnel were in their private car to town to buy food when the incident happened.
“On 3rd April 2023 at about 2000hrs, Three (3) immigration officers; Asst. Inspt. Philip Motey station at Missiga, Asst. Inspt. Lawrence Afari station at Kulungugu and Asst. Inspt. Eric Ayidiya of Pulimakom border post were shot by unknown gunmen in front of Bawku Police station. They were in their private car to town to buy food when the incident happened,” he stated.
He expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased security personnel, extending his prayers to the wounded personnel.
Mahama Ayariga, urged the government to be proactive in ensuring that peace prevails in Bawku.
“Let me on behalf of the people of Bawku express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased security personnel and extend our prayers to the wounded. I urge government to be proactive in advancing a lasting peace process in Bawku,” the lawmaker urged.
