Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak visits injured immigration officer in Accra

Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has visited a critically injured Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) officer at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra following a fatal explosion at the Hamile border in the Upper West Region. The officer was airlifted to the capital by a Ghana Air Force team for specialist medical attention after the blast, which claimed three lives, including a fellow officer and two civilians. The Minister's visit underscores the government's response to the incident, which occurred during a routine border patrol operation.

The explosion happened when GIS personnel intercepted a tricycle carrying volatile materials near the border. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the load detonated while the rider was attempting to evade security forces. The blast killed one immigration officer and the tricycle rider instantly, while a third person later succumbed to injuries. The incident sparked immediate tensions in the community, leading to clashes between local youth and immigration officials that left ten others injured.

While at the hospital, Minister Muntaka Mubarak expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured the injured officer’s relatives that the government would cover all medical expenses. Speaking earlier in Parliament, the Minister highlighted the mobilization of the Air Force to ensure the survivor received the highest level of care. He emphasized the significant risks faced by immigration personnel along unauthorized routes and cautioned the public against the dangerous mishandling of explosives.

To restore order and prevent further violence in Hamile, the Ministry of the Interior has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Local authorities and the GIS have been engaging with traditional leaders and community chiefs to address grievances and ensure cooperation with border security operations. The Ghana Immigration Service has confirmed that despite the tragedy, patrol activities along the border will continue to prevent illegal crossings and the smuggling of prohibited items.