Nkwanta: Tension continues to rise in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region with residents calling for sustained security intervention following renewed violent attacks that have claimed the lives of five persons.
According to Ghana Web, a resident described the current situation in the area as "barbaric" during an interview. The latest violence is linked to a long-standing dispute that has persisted since 2021, involving multiple factions who have defied several attempts at resolution.
"Nkwanta is not actually calm, the situation is very barbaric. It started a few years ago. since 2021, there has been a conflict going on in Nkwanta between three factions and they (authorities) attempted to resolve it to the extent that there was a curfew imposed on us. Now, after the curfew was reviewed about two weeks ago, the National Peace Council had a dialogue with residents that we should resort to peace. Two weeks after we signed the peace pact agreement, my uncle and his two younger brothers went to the farm and were killed," the resident recounted.
The resident further explained that the attacks this week have worsened the already fragile situation and insisted that the current police deployment is insufficient. "There were a couple of gunshots last night, also. As I speak, another casualty was recorded last night. Another person was shot to death last night. So, I think there should be more men (police) and where the issue started from, I heard they burnt some houses there again, so, the matter is increasing and increasing, so we need more men," he remarked.
Despite assurances from security agencies, residents insist the situation remains volatile, with sporadic gunfire and attacks still being reported. He also called for stricter enforcement of the law, arguing that perpetrators often return to the community after arrests, which emboldens others. The resident emphasized the need for a more inclusive peace process and reinforcement to ensure lasting stability in the area.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the police confirmed that two armoured vehicles, along with personnel from the National Police Operations, were deployed overnight to restore calm. "The Inspector-General of Police has deployed two armoured vehicles with men from the National Police Operations to Nkwanta last night to beef up security, following renewed violent attacks. Calm has been restored in the area," the statement said.
The police also disclosed that a joint security team recovered five bodies, three males and two females, from two separate locations in the municipality. The operation involved personnel from the police, military, BNI, Defence Intelligence, and the Ghana National Fire Service.