Terrorist attacks: ECOWAS moves to curb menace in member states

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has said it is working with countries within the sub-region to find ways to fight terrorist attacks.

Some countries within the region including Ghana have been on high alert following a series of attacks in Burkina Faso.

In a recent attack, six people were killed and several others injured when fighters affiliated to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as the local Ansarul Islam, attacked a Catholic church.

Two Ghanaian truck drivers have also been killed in a terrorist attack close to the Burkina Faso-Mali border.

But in an Interview with Citi News, ECOWAS president, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou said the issue of security is currently very high on the Commission’s agenda.

“This is one of the key challenges in our regional security. We have heard of what has happened in most countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Tensions and conflicts entering the communities are issues that are really affecting the stability and peace in our region. ECOWAS is working in that regard with its leaders to make sure measures are taken to effectively deal with these issues.”

Security threats

Consistent reports of terrorist attacks across the West African sub-region have led to heightened security measures in the country.

The Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery earlier confirmed that Ghana is on high alert over possible terror attacks.

Terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso have also forced some of its nationals to migrate to the northern parts of Ghana.

Ghana Immigration Service profiling Burkinabe immigrants

Officials of the Ghana Immigration Service in the Sissala East Municipality of the Upper West Region did a mass registration exercise for all immigrants who have pitched camp in some communities in the municipality.

The exercise follows an influx of Burkinabe nationals who fled their country to settle in the area because of attacks in northern Burkina Faso.

The Sissala East Municipal Security Council led by officials by the Ghana Immigration Service visited some of the settlements.

The Chief Executive of the Sissala East Municipal Assembly, Karim Nanyua had told Citi News that over 300 Burkina Faso nationals are seeking refuge within his jurisdiction.

“They were found in two different places. The estimation of people in the first place was about 200 plus people while the second place was about 100 plus of refugees. During an interrogation with the people, they claimed they came from the border between Burkina Faso and Mali. They indicated that there had been a terrorist attack around that area. They said they are farmers and they had countless attacks on them and on their farms, where some of them have been killed. So they are here to seek refuge and continue with their farming,” the MCE stated.

Source: ghanaweb.com