The  government on Sunday,July 27,began an emergency evacuation of students from conflict-hit regions in the country’s north following a surge in targeted violence, including a fatal shooting at a high school over the weekend.

The evacuation comes in response to growing insecurity in Bawku, Nalerigu, and surrounding areas, where ethnic tensions have flared in recent months. On Saturday night, gunmen attacked Nalerigu Senior High School, killing two students in what authorities described as a targeted assault.

In a statement, government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu said the evacuation operation is focused on relocating students from high-risk educational institutions to safer locations. He added that a curfew had been imposed to support the effort.

“The curfew is intended to create an environment conducive to the evacuation of all students in various educational institutions in affected areas, some of whom have been unfortunately targeted in the conflict,” Mr. Ofosu said.

A 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. curfew is now in effect across the conflict zone, where security forces have been deployed to protect evacuation routes and deter further violence. The number of students involved in the operation was not disclosed, though officials confirmed the initiative includes multiple senior high schools and other institutions across the region.

The evacuation marks a significant escalation in the government’s response to the Bawku conflict, a long-simmering dispute that has intensified sharply in recent months. While violence in the area has often focused on rival factions, recent incidents have increasingly targeted civilians—including students—prompting alarm among local leaders and human rights observers.

“This is a necessary and urgent measure,” said one senior security official involved in the operation, speaking on condition of anonymity. “The safety of young people is at immediate risk.”

Further updates on the evacuation effort are expected in the coming days as government agencies continue to coordinate logistics and secure safe passage for those affected.