Dr. Victor Doke, a lecturer at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has identified lapses in security intelligence as a possible cause of the renewed conflict in Bawku.
He argued that inadequate intelligence monitoring and preventive actions may have contributed to the recent escalation of violence, which has led to around 19 deaths.
Emphasizing the longstanding nature of the Bawku conflict, Dr. Doke noted that it is well-documented and widely understood by both national security agencies and local stakeholders.
He also voiced concerns over the readiness of security services, considering the prior awareness of tensions in the area.
“I agree strongly that there was some sort of lapse with regards to intelligence because the conflict is a decades-old conflict that every stakeholder is aware of and knows of”.
Dr. Victor Doke
Reflecting on the recent incident, Dr. Victor Doke raised critical questions about the intelligence gaps that allowed Alhaji Seidu, a prominent rival chief associated with the prolonged conflict, to enter Bawku undetected.
Dr. Doke noted that Alhaji Seidu’s arrival in Bawku, given his known involvement and influence in the tensions, should have prompted immediate action by security and intelligence agencies.
He argued that allowing such a high-profile figure to move into the area without detection points to significant lapses in monitoring strategies, suggesting that intelligence operations may not be adequately attuned to the movements and actions of individuals central to the conflict.
This failure, he asserted, underscores broader concerns regarding how well intelligence agencies are keeping track of high-risk individuals and developments in volatile regions like Bawku.
“Even if it’s not the current crop of security heads on this case, there are some sort of notes that people come in and have read. It would have been a comprehensive intelligence strategy with regards to one, monitoring events.”
Dr. Victor Doke
Dr. Doke suggested that failure to track movements and events, including press conferences and statements by relevant figures, has been a missed opportunity for intelligence gathering.
Dr. Doke Advocates for Proactive Intelligence Gathering in Bawku Conflict
Furthermore, Dr. Victor Doke proposed that security agencies adopt a more proactive approach by monitoring press conferences, identifying sources, tracking individuals, and questioning them to gather intelligence on Seidu’s movements and whereabouts.
He expressed disappointment that security forces did not take these steps, suggesting that such measures could have provided critical information to prevent the escalation of tensions in Bawku.
Dr. Doke emphasized that a more thorough, intelligence-driven response could have strengthened security operations in managing high-risk individuals connected to the ongoing conflict.
“I mentioned that Seidu should not be allowed to enter Bawku; otherwise, there would be consequences. Now the unfortunate has happened. He entered, and then we saw the aftermath—three days of cacophonous shootings and disruptions in Bawku”.
Dr. Victor Doke
The security expert further emphasized that multiple security agencies are actively deployed throughout these areas, raising concerns over their effectiveness.
He questioned how Seidu, a key figure in the ongoing conflict, could have entered Bawku undetected despite the presence of these security forces.
This oversight, Dr. Doke argued, not only points to potential weaknesses in the current monitoring system but also raises several critical questions about the strategies and coordination among the agencies involved.
He stressed that understanding how this lapse occurred is essential for addressing the broader issues in intelligence operations and ensuring more robust preventive measures in conflict-prone areas like Bawku.
Meanwhile, in light of the ongoing crisis and the resulting court closures in the area, the Bolga Traditional Council has issued a call for peace, urging the feuding factions to set aside their differences to help stabilize the region.
The Council also appealed to the Chief Justice to consider reopening the courts, emphasizing the importance of accessible legal institutions in resolving disputes and maintaining order.
They stressed that restoring peace and justice services is crucial for the well-being and security of the local community.
READ ALSO: Early Christmas for Ghana Stock Exchange as Market Capitalisation Crosses GH¢100 billion Mark
