The Member of Parliament for Bunkpurugu, Dr. Abed-Nego Lamangin Bandim, has called for urgent state intervention to address what he described as a worsening security situation in Nakpanduri in the North East Region, following a series of unexplained disappearances in the area.
Raising the matter in a 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, noting that the phenomenon has persisted for more than two decades without conclusive investigations.
According to him, 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.
He revealed that records show that at least seven people from Nakpanduri and surrounding communities have gone missing between 2001 and 2026, with none of the cases 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.
The Bunkpurugu MP linked the disappearances to the broader deterioration of security in the North East Region, citing the recent burning of police barriers in Nalerigu and Gambaga in mid-January 2026 by unknown persons as evidence of growing criminal boldness.
He further warned that the difficult terrain of Nakpanduri, particularly the Scarp, presents serious security challenges, making the area vulnerable to exploitation by criminal and extremist networks seeking hideouts.
Dr. Bandim emphasized that the unresolved disappearances raise constitutional concerns, pointing to Article 13 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
He argued that routine security measures have proven inadequate and called for a more robust, intelligence-driven response.
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 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 on 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, and appealed to Parliament to support a thorough investigation and strengthened security response in Nakpanduri and its environs.
By: Christian Kpesese
