Tragedy at Nalerigu SHS: Two Students Killed in Suspected Bawku Conflict-Related Shooting
In a devastating incident, two male students of Nalerigu Senior High School (SHS) in the East Mamprusi Municipality, North East Region, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen on the school premises in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2025.
The attack, confirmed by the school’s headmaster, Mr. Mohammed Tibila, in an interview with 3News, has plunged the Nalerigu community into fear and grief, raising urgent concerns about student safety and regional security.
The victims, identified only as Lukman and Gideon by MyJoyOnline, were reportedly in their dormitory when the assailants stormed the campus and opened fire, killing them instantly. Details remain scarce, but local sources, as reported by Ghanamma.com, suggest a possible link to the ongoing Bawku chieftaincy and ethnic conflict, though authorities have not yet confirmed this. The bodies are in police custody, with forensic teams collecting evidence, including spent shells, to identify the perpetrators. The North East Regional Police Commander acknowledged the incident but withheld further comments pending the ongoing investigation.
The attack has heightened panic among students and residents, with many avoiding school or seeking temporary refuge. Assembly Member for the Denugu Electoral Area, Dasmani Fuseini, an uncle to one of the victims, confirmed the killings to MyJoyOnline, noting that families are arranging to retrieve the bodies for burial. Posts on X, including from @EliasuAlhaji and @Citi973, reflect the community’s shock and link the incident to a recent killing of a Bawku SHS student, underscoring the escalating violence.
The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for the assailants and increased security around Nalerigu SHS and other schools in conflict-prone areas. The incident follows a pattern of violence in the region, with a similar attack on Gambaga College of Education students in March 2025, also suspected to be tied to the Bawku conflict. The North East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is under pressure to implement measures to protect educational institutions, as calls grow for sustainable solutions to the region’s security challenges.
