Gov’t imposes curfew on Hamile amid confusion over dynamite explosion that killed immigration officer

The government has imposed an 11-hour curfew on Hamile Township and its surrounding communities in the Lambussie District of the Upper West Region following a deadly dynamite explosion that killed a Ghana Immigration Service officer and civilians. The Minister for the Interior imposed the restriction on the advice of the National Security Council and by Executive Instrument, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of the Interior on Tuesday, November 3.

The restriction, which takes immediate effect, prohibits movement in the area between 6:00 pm and 5:00 am daily. The curfew announcement comes on the same day an officer of the Ghana Immigration Service reportedly died, while another sustained critical injuries, in an explosion at Hamile. Preliminary information from security sources in Hamile indicates that the civilians were travelling along an unauthorised route when they encountered security personnel at a checkpoint.

The directive also places a total ban on the possession of arms, ammunition and other offensive weapons within Hamile and its surrounding communities. “Any person found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” the Ministry warned. The government also appealed to chiefs, opinion leaders, the youth and residents to exercise restraint amid the security challenges confronting the community.

READ ALSO: Dynamite explosion in Hamile kills immigration officer, leaves other critically injured It called on residents to express their grievances through peaceful and non-violent means to help restore calm and prevent further disturbances. “Government urges Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, Youth and People of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their grievances into ensuring peace in the area,” the directive stated.

The curfew and weapons ban form part of measures being taken by the government to address the security situation in Hamile and its surrounding communities.