Bawku Conflict: Garu School Closed After Brutal Killing of Headteacher
The Garu D/A Primary School has been closed down following the tragic shooting of the headteacher Yahaya Bukari, who was killed alongside three others in an incident related to the ongoing Bawku conflict.
The Garu-Tempane District Security Committee mandated the temporary closure of the school as fear spread through the district capital after the attacks.
On Monday, unidentified gunmen opened fire in broad daylight in Garu, resulting in the deaths of four people and injuries to five others.
The victims included a staff member from the health insurance office, a local chief, and the headteacher.
Significant loss
The brutal killing of the headteacher represents a significant loss for the local education community.
He was the senior headteacher at Garu D/A Primary School and also served as the treasurer for the local branch of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) in Garu-Tempane.
His death may disrupt school operations and raises serious concerns about the safety of education personnel in the region.
Community shock
In response, the Garu-Tempane District Assembly expressed deep shock and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
They also urged the community to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement as investigations continue.
Security officials have confirmed that they are following leads and reviewing available CCTV footage, witness statements, and bullet trajectories. Local community leaders, including traditional authorities and youth groups, have called for increased patrols and the disarming of illegal groups operating in the district, particularly in light of previous reports of weapon seizures in the area.
Call for protection
Stakeholders in the education sector have urged the government and the Ministry of Education to implement measures to protect teachers and administrative staff working in vulnerable regions.
They underscored that this incident highlights the threats to educators’ safety and the fragility of peaceful school-community operations in certain districts.
