Josiah
Heavy gunfire broke out at the Missiga Immigration Service checkpoint in Bawku following a confrontation between personnel from the Ghana Police Service and Customs officials on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
The clash reportedly began when police officers refused to allow Customs officials to inspect a truck bound for Togo, suspected of carrying smuggled cocoa beans. Customs personnel, believing the truck contained contraband, insisted on conducting an investigation, leading to a tense standoff with the police. The situation escalated into an exchange of gunfire between the two security agencies, prompting military officers to intervene in an effort to de-escalate the conflict.
A video of the incident captured the moment when a verbal altercation between the two groups spiraled into violence, with heavy gunfire erupting at the checkpoint. The sound of gunshots sent bystanders and officials scrambling for cover as the checkpoint turned into a chaotic scene.
This alarming display of interagency conflict has raised widespread concerns about the coordination between government bodies responsible for securing Ghana’s borders. Cocoa smuggling, particularly to neighboring countries like Togo and Ivory Coast, has long been a challenge, with traffickers seeking to avoid taxes and duties by illegally transporting goods across the borders.
