05/09/2025
'ARISE BOLE YOUTH' PETITIONS INTERIOR MINISTER & OTHERS AGAINST HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES AND SECURITY BRUTALITIES IN BOLE AND ENVIRONS
Source: Nkilgi Fm- Bole
A Youth group in Bole 'Arise Bole Youth' have petitioned the Minister for the Interior to register their strongest protest and deepest concern regarding the ongoing acts of brutality and human rights violations being perpetrated by security personnel deployed to enforce the curfew in Bole and its environs.
The statement from the group dated 3rd September, 2025 and signed by the Secretary of the group Saaka Abdul- Fatawu Jaaga was copied to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the National Security Coordinator, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Savannah Regional Minister the Bole District Security Council (DISEC) and the National Gonjaland Youth Association (GLYA).
It stated; "We write to register our strongest protest and deepest concern regarding the ongoing acts of brutality and human rights violations being perpetrated by security personnel deployed to enforce the curfew in Bole and its environs".
The group added; "Although the recent unfortunate clashes between Gonjas and Brifos occurred in the Sawla District and not in Bole town, the people of Bole have been placed under curfew and have consistently complied with its terms. Regrettably, instead of maintaining law and order in a professional and lawful manner, security officers assigned to Bole have engaged in acts of intimidation, harassment, and outright brutality against innocent residents".
The 'Arise Bole Youth' said reports from credible community sources confirm that; "Security officers have been unlawfully dragging residents, including women, children, and the elderly, out of their homes at night under the pretext of enforcing curfew".
The group further said; "Several residents have been subjected to severe beatings, resulting in serious injuries, with some currently hospitalized" adding; "Shockingly, one elderly man, believed to be in his late sixties, lost his life as a direct result of these beatings.
The group indicated there are widespread accounts of security personnel subjecting residents to inhumane
treatment, including forcing individuals to crawl on the ground, slapping women in public, extorting money under threat of violence, and destroying property without lawful
justification and that these acts of intimidation have instilled fear and psychological trauma in the community,
eroding public trust in state security institutions.
The 'Arise Bole Youth' also stated that, "These actions by the security personnel constitute not only an abuse of power but also a grave violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Constitution of Ghana.
They stated; "It is unacceptable that innocent, law-abiding residents who have respected the curfew directives are now being brutalized by the very agents of the state mandated to protect them. The excessive use of force by the security personnel is unlawful, disproportionate, and constitutes an abuse of state power".
In light of the issues the 'Arise Bole Youth' raised, they demanded that; "The Honourable Minister, the Inspector-General of Police, and the National Security Council should immediately investigate the conduct of the security personnel in Bole and hold all
perpetrators accountable under the law".
The group also demanded that: "the unlawful brutalization of residents must cease forthwith, and clear directives should be issued to security personnel to act strictly within the limits of the law and in conformity
with professional standards.
According to the 'Arise Bole Youth' the family of the deceased elderly man must be provided justice, including a full
investigation into his death and appropriate compensation and thay victims of assault and maltreatment must be given immediate access to medical care at the expense of the state, and mechanisms for redress should be made available to them.
The 'Arise Bole Youth' also stated that; "the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) should take up this matter as a breach of fundamental human rights and ensure accountability".
The group reminded the Minister of Interior
Honourable Minister that security cannot be maintained by
lawlessness and that the people of Bole deserve protection, not persecution.
The group stated; "we call on your esteemed office and all relevant authorities to act swiftly to restore public confidence, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard the dignity and safety of residents".
