February 2, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters Staff Correspondent
ACCRA — The Ghana Police Service has detained a man over inflammatory remarks suggesting the extremist group Boko Haram be brought into Ghana to influence a local chieftaincy dispute, officials confirmed on Sunday. The arrest underscores tensions surrounding traditional leadership struggles and the broader threat of misinformation and violent rhetoric in the country’s volatile communal landscapes.
In a statement released on Saturday, the police described the suspect’s comments as a grave threat to public peace and national security, particularly in the context of renewed unrest in the Upper East Region. Ghana’s Public Relations Officer for the Police Service, Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, said the individual was taken into custody after surveillance linked him to statements that risked exacerbating already fragile community relations.
Authorities identified the arrested individual as Raphael Azare Kariyama, who allegedly made the remarks in connection with a long-running chieftaincy dispute in the Bawku area. Police say the suspect’s statements which circulated widely on social media suggested that followers could leverage the extremist Boko Haram group to apply pressure in the local power struggle, a claim officially condemned by security officials.
“The Ghana Police Service has arrested a suspect for making inciteful comments that have the potential to disrupt peace and security in Bawku and its environs,” the statement read, noting that the arrest was part of an intelligence-driven operation to monitor individuals using public platforms to promote violence or spread threatening content.
Kariyama remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court to face charges under Ghanaian law related to public disturbance and national security offences. Police also cautioned the public to be mindful of their use of social media and communication channels emphasizing that reckless or sensational comments can undermine peace, especially in sensitive communal settings.
The episode follows reports of increased tension in Bawku, a town in northeastern Ghana historically affected by disputes between the Kusasi and Mamprusi ethnic groups over traditional authority. The conflict ignited again after the arrest and detention of a self-styled chief whose supporters allegedly made the Boko Haram threats as part of protests over his detention.
Security analysts note that exploiting extremist group names or fears of terrorism to inflame local conflicts can have dangerous consequences, given the regional history of violence and cross-border insurgent activity in West Africa. Ghana’s police and military forces have repeatedly urged communities to reject inflammatory rhetoric and pursue disputes through lawful and peaceful channels.