The Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE) Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar has backed the deployment of weapon detection systems in the Bawku region to help combat the ongoing conflict crisis.
The killing of a soldier in Bawku has seen a significant development in the ongoing conflict.
“This is another incident that complicates and worsens the relationship between residents, or the people of Bawku, and the military, security forces in there.”
“The role of the military or security forces is to [ensure] stability and provide an environment that allows engagement to take place in terms of peace in the area. And so, this element should not under any circumstance be involved as casualties or parties to the conflict.”
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism
Meanwhile, the continued targeting of security personnel further complicates peace efforts, making it difficult for the military to maintain neutrality and earn the trust of local populations.
“The weapon detection system or operations… it’s an important element in terms of seeking to disarm, ensuring that people who are armed do not have the capability to use arms in this conflict.”
“If you notice, throughout the conflict cycle, the source of violence and fatalities is through the use of weapons [and] the use of gunshots. Your capacity to disable individuals and immobilize them in terms of their capacity to use weapons or have access to weapons is a very important step that can significantly change the outcomes of efforts in dealing with the Bawku situation.”
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism
However, deploying weapon detection technology is not a simple process. It requires extensive logistical coordination and significant financial resources.
Despite the challenges, Muqthar remains hopeful that the deployment of weapon detection technology could contribute positively to efforts to restore peace in Bawku.
Can Weapon Detectors Identify Unregistered Weapons?
When asked whether the weapon detectors can identify unregistered weapons, he said;
“The weapon detection system, those with advanced features and capabilities, would detect weapons irrespective of whether they were registered here or not or registered at all.”
“It’s the ability to roll out that kind of program and ensure that it covers the entirety of the area that you’re looking at. There could be certain checkpoints that allow that to happen. It could also be operational within the homes of individuals in the Bawku area.”
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism
He emphasized that the success of the initiative depends on how the Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission chooses to implement it.
“Already, there are many[ weapons trackers] being drawn in the area. And so we are talking about the use of drones and surveillance technology in terms of detecting and ensuring that we reduce the amount of weapons in the system.”
Mutaru Mumuni Muqthar Executive Director of the West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism
The call for the integration of multiple security strategies, including drones and weapon detection technology, could significantly reduce the influx of arms and the resulting violence.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive security strategy that not only restores order but also rebuilds confidence in the military’s neutrality in the phase of the Bawku conflict.
As security forces struggle to maintain their legitimacy, efforts to curb violence through weapon detection and surveillance technology offer a glimmer of hope. However, as Muqthar points out, successful implementation will require substantial resources and coordination. While no single measure can completely resolve the conflict, the combination of disarmament efforts, surveillance, and peacebuilding initiatives could bring Bawku closer to stability.
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