The Kusaug Youth Movement has sparked national attention following a powerful press statement condemning the murder of Mr Mohammed Seidu Akugri, a respected public servant and District Director of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Bongo. Mr Akugri was killed on 19th May 2025 in what the group describes as a brutal and calculated attack near Nangodi in the Upper East Region. This tragedy has reignited a long-standing concern over alleged ethnic bias and state-sanctioned neglect in the Bawku conflict
According to the youth movement, Mr Akugri was ambushed and burnt beyond recognition in his car shortly after a convoy of Mamprusis, escorted by heavily armed security personnel, had passed through the same route. This timing has raised questions among concerned citizens and community leaders about the role of the escort service in the events leading up to his death. The youth group strongly believes this incident is part of a coordinated effort targeting innocent and unarmed Kusaasi individuals across the country.
The murder of Mr Akugri, according to the statement, is not an isolated case. It falls within a disturbing pattern of killings and violent attacks against Kusaasis that have been met with silence or inaction from the government and security agencies. The group referenced several past cases, such as the killing of Mr Alhassan Azumah in January 2024, the brutal murder of Mr Fusein Toa in October 2024, and the shooting of Mallam Aziz in February 2025, suggesting a broader trend of hostility and impunity.
Faceless threats on social media platforms have reportedly preceded many of these crimes. The Kusaug Youth Movement identified certain accounts and individuals including "Fati Moses", “Bawku Links”, and Ibrahim Ashahadu Yirongo, among others, as having issued threats against prominent Kusaasis. In particular, the late Mr Akugri was reportedly listed as a target online prior to his killing. The group insists that these warnings were well documented and publicly available, yet there has been no concrete response from law enforcement to address them.
What troubles the movement further is the behaviour of the Upper East Regional Military Commander, who they allege has not only ignored intelligence reports on the threats but has also authorised security escorts for suspected individuals. The Kusaug Youth Movement argues that this level of negligence undermines the purpose of the military and compromises the safety of innocent citizens.
The situation in Binduri was also mentioned as a troubling development. Previously untouched by the Bawku crisis, Binduri recently witnessed violent attacks including the deaths of a veterinary officer and a pastor. The youth movement believes this reflects a deliberate expansion of the conflict beyond Bawku. A particularly horrifying case was also cited—the murder of a mother and her four children—an act which has deeply scarred the conscience of the Kusaug people.
The statement criticises what it calls the "dangerous escort culture" that grants privileged protection to certain groups, allowing them to traverse volatile areas with impunity. It questions why such state-sponsored escorts are necessary in Bawku, especially when similar arrangements are not made in other regions of Ghana like Ashanti, Volta, or Central. The movement warns that this practice not only fosters resentment but also emboldens those with violent intentions.
It expressed alarm that while Kusaasi leaders, particularly the revered Zugraan, Naba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II, have consistently preached peace and encouraged cooperation with ongoing mediation efforts led by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Mamprusi factions have not reciprocated. Instead, the movement accuses these groups of taking advantage of the situation to carry out more attacks, made easier by their apparent protection from certain state actors.
The youth movement's call to action is clear and urgent. It demands an immediate end to all government-sponsored security escorts for Mamprusis within Bawku. They insist that a full and unbiased investigation must be launched into the murder of Mr Akugri, with specific attention given to the social media threats leading up to his death. The statement also calls for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the inciting online platforms, naming several individuals believed to be responsible for issuing threats.
Equally significant is the movement’s demand for the removal and reshuffling of the Upper East Regional Military Commander, citing his alleged dereliction of duty and the perception of bias in his command decisions. They believe that retaining him in that position poses an ongoing risk to peace and security in the region.
The Kusaug Youth Movement has expressed its frustrations with clarity and purpose. They maintain that their aim is not to incite conflict but to ensure that justice and fairness are upheld. The statement carefully distinguishes between calls for accountability and any form of retaliation. It warns, however, that continued neglect by the authorities may push the community to consider alternative means of self-protection if the state fails in its primary duty to safeguard all citizens equally.
The pressing issue of ethnic tension and security imbalance in Bawku and its surrounding communities remains a deeply emotional and complex matter. The death of Mr Akugri and others before him adds to a growing list of victims whose stories demand justice and serious national attention. As this statement circulates through media and public platforms, many are now watching closely to see how the government and security agencies will respond.
At the heart of this latest development is the cry of a community feeling left behind, misunderstood, and unprotected. The Kusaug Youth Movement has chosen to use its voice to speak for the voiceless and demand answers where silence has long prevailed.
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