News:
February 11, 2026
The Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu, Dr. Abed-Nego Lamangin Bandim, has called for urgent state intervention to address what he describes as a worsening security situation in Nakpanduri in the North East Region, following a series of mysterious disappearances in the area.
Raising the matter in a formal statement on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Dr. Bandim drew attention to a disturbing pattern of missing persons within the Muog territory of Nakpanduri. He noted that the phenomenon has persisted for more than two decades without conclusive investigations.
According to the MP, the most recent case was reported on Sunday, January 25, 2026, when community stakeholders and the National Association of Bimoba, Moba and Gurma (NABMAG) announced the disappearance of another resident.
Records indicate that at least seven people from Nakpanduri and surrounding communities have gone missing between 2001 and 2026, with none of the cases being fully resolved.
“The absence of conclusive investigations has created fear, uncertainty and deep distress for affected families, while also undermining social cohesion in the community,” Dr. Bandim said.
He linked the disappearances to a broader deterioration of security in the North East Region, citing the burning of police barriers in Nalerigu and Gambaga in mid-January 2026 by unknown persons as evidence of growing criminal boldness.
The MP further warned that the difficult terrain of Nakpanduri, particularly the Scarp area, presents serious security challenges. He noted that the topography makes the area vulnerable to exploitation by criminal and extremist networks seeking hideouts.
Dr. Bandim emphasised that the unresolved disappearances raise significant constitutional concerns. He pointed to Article 13 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, arguing that routine security measures have proven inadequate and that a more robust, intelligence-driven response is required.
As part of his proposals, the MP urged the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to initiate an independent preliminary investigation into the seven reported cases to determine whether there has been a systemic failure in the state’s duty to protect citizens.
He also appealed to the Ghana Police Service to deploy a specialised team, possibly a Cold Case Unit, to the North East Region to review the files of the missing persons.
“The families deserve definitive answers,” he said.
Additionally, Dr. Bandim called on the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to intensify public security awareness campaigns in the Bunkpurugu-Nakpanduri District under its NORPREVSEC project, to encourage citizens to report suspicious activities without fear.
He further urged traditional authorities and the leadership of NABMAG to collaborate with state agencies to identify and eliminate any internal actors who may be aiding criminal activities.
Dr. Bandim cautioned that Ghana cannot allow any part of the country to become a “zone of silence” where citizens disappear without explanation. He appealed to Parliament to support a thorough investigation and a strengthened security response in Nakpanduri and its environs.
Ghanamps.com