Tension has enveloped the Basyonde community in the Tempane District of the Upper East Region following an alleged invasion by armed military personnel on Monday morning, November 3, 2025.
The soldiers reportedly entered the community around 11:00 a.m., some hours after two Immigration Service officers were shot by unknown gunmen at Nagani, a nearby community, leading to the death of one, while the other was severely injured and is currently receiving treatment.
According to the Assembly member for the Basyonde community, Haruna Asaana Musah, he received a call from a community member that military officers from Bawku were heading to the community.
Haruna Musah told Graphic Online's reporter that he immediately contacted the District Chief Executive, Joseph Mbilla, upon receiving the call, who informed him that the military had communicated their intention to conduct a “special search” related to the shooting at Nagani.
“So, we assumed it was a normal intelligence-led search. But before they even entered the town properly, they started beating women and whoever they met on the way,” he said.
Musah alleged that the soldiers, upon arriving at the entrance of the town, began assaulting residents indiscriminately, creating panic and forcing people to flee.
Among those allegedly assaulted were the Assembly Member’s 65-year-old father and his uncle.
“My dad told me they were sitting by their shop when the soldiers parked an armoured vehicle under a neem tree nearby.
They ran towards them, kicked him down, and started beating him without saying anything.
They also attacked another businessman who was entering the community,” Musah said.
He added that while his father sustained bruises, he declined hospital treatment and returned home after being attended to.
However, other victims were taken to the Basyonde Health Centre for treatment.
“So far, five people are confirmed injured. Two are currently in the hospital, and others are in their various homes recovering. The injured persons may be more, but some ran away without reporting to the hospital because they came from other communities to the market because today was our market day,” he added.
Calm returns but fear lingers
Musah noted that calm has since been restored to the community after local authorities intervened and directed the soldiers to move toward Nagani, where the shooting of the immigration officers occurred, about 10 kilometres from Basyonde.
“The officials of the district have gone to the hospital to assess the victims. I have also asked my representative to monitor the situation and report back,” he said.
Despite the relative calm, many residents remain shaken and fearful of a possible return of the soldiers. Some who reportedly fled their homes were yet to return.
Meanwhile, in a press release signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Upper East Regional Police, Chief Inspector Abdul Rahman Sumaila, the police said a manhunt for the attackers of the immigration officers was underway.
-Graphic