The Nayiri Palace has strongly criticized the government’s decision to impose a curfew on Nalerigu, describing it as “arbitrary and unjustified.”
The Palace argues that there is no conflict in Nalerigu to warrant such action and that the government’s justification for the curfew is “unfortunate and unconvincing.”
In an official statement released on July 28, 2025, the Palace said it was dismayed by the government’s decision to impose a curfew from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. starting July 27, 2025. According to the Palace, there is no conflict in Nalerigu to justify such a drastic action.
“While Mamprugu remains committed to constitutional rule and recognizes the state’s role in maintaining public order, we are deeply displeased by the manner in which this curfew was imposed,” the statement read.
The Palace emphasized that Nalerigu, the seat of the Mamprugu Kingdom, is calm and peaceful, and any comparisons to the conflict-ridden Bawku area are misleading and dangerous. It accused the government of confusing the situation in Bawku with the peaceful nature of Mamprugu communities like Walewale and Nalerigu.
The Nayiri Palace also rejected the government’s reason that the curfew was meant to facilitate the evacuation of students from Nalerigu Senior High School. It described the justification as “unfortunate and unconvincing,” and said decisions like this should not be made without involving local authorities.
The statement further condemned the recent killing of two students from Nalerigu SHS, calling it a “heinous and cold-blooded” act. The Nayiri and the Mamprugu Traditional Council extended condolences to the grieving families and called for swift justice.
The Palace issued four demands in response to the developments:
- Immediate lifting of the curfew on Nalerigu and its surroundings.
- A full and transparent investigation into the students’ murder.
- An unqualified apology from the government for imposing the curfew without consultation.
- A commitment to engage traditional leaders and local stakeholders in security and development matters.
The Nayiri Palace reaffirmed its commitment to peace and dialogue but warned that peace should not be mistaken for weakness or silence.
“Mamprugu stands for peace, but peace must never be mistaken for passivity,” the statement concluded.
