Gunmen open fire, burn bus in Walewale – Death toll rises to seven

The death toll from the attack on a passenger bus near Walewale has risen to seven after four more victims succumbed to their injuries.

The attack occurred on Friday, February 14, when unidentified gunmen ambushed a bus with registration number GR 7501-21 near Loagri, close to a police barrier. The bus, which had departed from the ADT station in Pulukoom, Pusiga District, had broken down at the location, forcing the driver to leave for Tamale in search of a mechanic.

While the driver was away, the bus was left in the care of police officers, the mate, and passengers. Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen arrived at the scene, opened fire on the passengers and police, and set the vehicle ablaze.

Initially, three people, including a toddler, were found burned to death inside the bus. On Saturday, February 15, another body was discovered in the charred remains of the vehicle, raising the death toll to four.

Additionally, one of the injured victims, who was receiving treatment at the Walewale Hospital, died the same day. Two more victims, who had been transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital, succumbed to their injuries on Sunday, February 16, bringing the total number of deaths to seven.

Authorities have confirmed that all the deceased were foreign nationals, consisting of one Burkinabe and six Togolese citizens.

Security forces are investigating the incident as tensions rise over recent attacks in the region, which are suspected to be linked to the ongoing Bawku conflict.