At least three unmanned police barriers have been set ablaze near Nalerigu and Gambaga, raising serious concerns about security vulnerabilities in parts of the North East Region.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that the incidents occurred between January 15 and January 16, 2026. The identities of the perpetrators and their motives remain unknown, and investigations are ongoing.
The development comes weeks after the Police Service withdrew officers from several highway checkpoints across the Northern, North East and Upper East regions in late December 2025. The withdrawal followed a deadly incident in which a police officer was killed and others sustained injuries while on duty.
The affected highways serve as major trade routes linking Ghana to Togo and Burkina Faso, making them critical corridors for commerce and cross-border movement.
Since the withdrawal, traders, commercial drivers and residents have expressed growing anxiety over the absence of police presence on the roads. Many fear the situation could lead to a surge in armed robbery, smuggling and other criminal activities.
Although communities in the region remain generally calm, with business activities continuing uninterrupted, road users say they feel increasingly unsafe and exposed.
Residents and transport operators are now calling on the government and the Ghana Police Service to redeploy officers to man the checkpoints, warning that prolonged absence of security personnel could embolden criminal elements and undermine public safety.
