The border town of Hamile in the Lambusie District of Ghana’s Upper West Region was thrown into chaos on Tuesday evening following the alleged abduction of a Ghanaian woman and violent unrest targeting the Ghana Immigration Service.
According to reliable sources close to the Nandom Municipal Police Command, an immigration officer identified only as Sergeant Morris allegedly reopened the Ghana–Burkina Faso border after the official closure time of 6:00 p.m., allowing several Burkinabe nationals to enter the country.
The incident is said to have led to the abduction of a Ghanaian woman, reportedly married to a Burkinabe man. Armed men in two private saloon cars, believed to be linked to Burkinabe security forces, allegedly crossed into Ghana, seized the woman, and transported her across the border into Burkina Faso.
Unconfirmed accounts indicate the woman was travelling with her young daughter, who managed to escape and raise an alarm. The news sparked outrage among Hamile residents, prompting angry youth to storm the Ghana Immigration Service outpost. The facility was vandalized during the protest.
Sergeant Morris’ residence was also ransacked, and a mobile phone shop he owns was looted. His pickup truck was reportedly set ablaze by the demonstrators.
Some unverified reports suggest the woman’s husband is being pursued by Burkinabe security officials for his alleged involvement in a coup attempt against Burkina Faso’s military government. The abduction may have been an attempt to lure him out of hiding, the sources added.
Calm was restored after swift intervention by local opinion leaders, traditional rulers, and the Upper West Regional Security Council, led by Regional Minister Hon. Charles Luanga Puozuin. Security in Hamile has since been reinforced by the Regional Police Command.
Authorities confirmed that no gunshot casualties were recorded. However, one woman reportedly collapsed during the protest and later died.
Sergeant Morris is currently in police custody for his protection and to assist with investigations.
In a phone interview, Lambusie District Chief Executive Hon. Ireneus Naule Basimbie confirmed aspects of the incident but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing investigations.
