Authorities in the Upper East Region have shuttered Zuarungu Senior High School indefinitely after violent clashes erupted between students from two ethnic groups, resulting in the destruction of property and a significant security response.
Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga ordered the closure late Sunday following confrontations between students of Frafra and Kusasi descent. The unrest was reportedly triggered by the alleged theft of a mobile phone but quickly escalated into broader ethnic violence, culminating in several campus structures being set ablaze.
The Police have detained four students in connection with the incident, though one suspect reportedly escaped custody en route to the police station—allegedly seizing a police officer’s magazine in the process. The escape has heightened concerns over rising tensions and potential retaliatory violence.
In response, regional security forces, including police and military units, have been deployed to maintain order. Students from Bawku—a flashpoint town in prior ethnic disputes—have been escorted home under heavy guard as a precaution.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing and that efforts are being made to de-escalate tensions and ensure the safety of students and staff. No timeline has been provided for when the school may reopen.
