Government Curfew in Nalerigu Slammed as ‘Arbitrary, Disrespectful’.
The Mamprusi Traditional Council has unleashed a scathing rebuke against the government, vehemently condemning the imposition of a curfew on Nalerigu and its environs.
The Palace, speaking for the Nayiri, has branded the move as “arbitrary, unjustified, and deeply disrespectful” to the traditional authority.
In a fiery statement released Monday, July 28, the Nayiri Palace expressed “deep displeasure and disappointment” over the curfew, which kicked in on July 27, 2025. The draconian order restricts movement from a baffling 2:00 PM to 6:00 AM daily.
This decision follows a chilling incident on Saturday, July 26, when two students at Nalerigu Senior High School were gunned down by unknown assailants.
The Palace’s outrage stems from the fact that the directive was enforced without any prior consultation, despite the town reportedly being “calm and free from any immediate conflict.”
“The Nayiri Palace has taken serious note of a message circulating publicly about the curfew’s imposition… While Mamprugu remains firmly committed to constitutional governance… the Palace expresses its deep displeasure and disappointment at the arbitrary and unjustified way this curfew has been enforced,” the statement thundered.
While authorities remain tight-lipped on the motive behind the shootings, local whispers have attempted to link the incident to the protracted Bawku conflict.
However, the Mamprusi Traditional Council has emphatically denied any connection, asserting that Nalerigu should not be dragged into the woes of troubled regions.
“It is concerning that the government continues to follow a misguided policy of linking the long-standing conflict in the Bawku Traditional Area with the peace and stability present in Mamprugu, especially in Walewale and now Nalerigu,” the statement continued, highlighting a palpable frustration with what they perceive as a misinformed policy.
The Council didn’t mince words, dismissing the government’s rationale – that the curfew would facilitate the “safe evacuation of students” – as “unfortunate and unconvincing.” They cautioned that such “reactive measures” do little to foster lasting peace.
PALACE ISSUES ULTIMATUMS
Asserting that traditional authority has been undermined, the Nayiri Palace laid down three unequivocal demands to the government:
* Immediate lifting of the curfew in Nalerigu and surrounding areas.
* A thorough and transparent investigation into the students’ murder, ensuring the culprits are brought to justice.
* A sincere apology to the Nayiri and the people of Mamprugu for disregarding the Palace on such a critical security matter.
The statement concluded with a powerful reminder: maintaining peace in Mamprugu hinges on mutual respect and cooperation, not unilateral decisions made without local involvement. The message is clear: the Nayiri Palace will not stand idly by while its authority is sidelined.