Tension in Nalerigu: A Curfew That Raised More Questions Than It Answered
In the quiet town of Nalerigu, nestled in Ghana’s North East Region, life took a sudden turn when a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed by the Ministry of the Interior on Sunday, July 27, 2025. This curfew, meant to restore order after a tragic incident, has instead sparked heated debate, resistance from locals, and a call for accountability from traditional authorities.
Read alsoThe Bawku Conflict and the Ongoing Curfew: A Deepening Crisis in Northern Ghana
Tragedy at the Heart of the Decision
The decision to impose the curfew followed the fatal shooting of two students from Nalerigu Senior High School. The loss sent shockwaves through the community, prompting the government to announce the immediate evacuation of students from the area. As part of these security measures, the curfew was enforced, initially from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., later reviewed to 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
But what was intended as a safety measure quickly became a source of conflict.
A Curfew Ignored
Reports from the ground revealed widespread non-compliance. Market women, drivers, and local vendors continued with their daily routines well past the curfew start time. The reason? Many locals saw the directive as poorly communicated, unjustified, and disconnected from the community’s realities.
Local MP, Alhaji Baba Seidu Issifu, echoed the people’s frustrations, stating that there was little to no consultation before the curfew was announced. He argued that such top-down approaches only deepen mistrust between the government and the people.
Traditional Leaders Speak Out
The Nayiri Palace, representing the Mamprugu Traditional Council, did not mince words in its reaction. In a strongly worded statement, the Council condemned the curfew as arbitrary, disrespectful, and unwarranted. According to the Nayiri, Nalerigu has remained calm and peaceful, and the situation did not merit such
