Hamile Explosion: Muntaka, GIS Chiefs Visit Injured Officer, Pledge Government to Cover All Medical Costs

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, and senior management of the Ghana Immigration Service on Wednesday visited Inspector Rashad Yussif at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, where the officer is recovering from severe injuries sustained in the deadly explosion at Hamile in the Upper West Region.

The visit came a day after Inspector Yussif was airlifted from Nandom Hospital to Accra by a Ghana Air Force medical team, following initial treatment for injuries to his face and arms . Muntaka, addressing Parliament on Tuesday, had disclosed the evacuation arrangement, telling the House that the Air Force team had been dispatched to transfer the officer for specialist care .

During Wednesday's visit, the Interior Minister expressed sympathy to the officer's family and gave firm assurances that the government would bear all medical expenses arising from the incident. "All medical expenses arising from the incident would be covered," Muntaka stated, adding that every effort would be made to ensure the officer receives the best possible care .

The Incident

The explosion occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, November 3, along an unapproved route in the Hamile Sector, during a border patrol operation. According to the Ghana Immigration Service, a four-member patrol team responded to an unusual sound and intercepted a man transporting a load on a tricycle. When officers approached to inspect the contents, the rider attempted to flee. In the process of stopping him, the load—later established to be explosives—detonated .

The blast killed the tricycle rider instantly and injured two immigration officers. One of the injured officers later succumbed to his injuries, while Inspector Yussif was rushed to Nandom Hospital before being airlifted to Accra . Two civilians on the tricycle were also killed in the explosion.

Tensions and Curfew

The incident triggered tensions in Hamile, with reports of youth attacking Ghana Immigration Service installations in reaction to the patrol team's actions. The Ministry of the Interior subsequently imposed an 11-hour curfew on Hamile Township and surrounding communities, running from 6:00 pm to 5:00 am daily, alongside a total ban on the possession of firearms, ammunition and other offensive weapons in the area .

Deputy Comptroller-General of Immigration Faisal Disu, who accompanied the Minister and briefed him on the circumstances, stressed that the officers were performing their lawful duties to prevent cross-border crime. He disclosed that the Regional Security Council, including the Immigration Service, had met with chiefs and the Hamile-Happa Traditional Area Committee to dialogue on concerns raised, and that ongoing engagement had helped calm tensions .

A Caution on Explosives

In a statement issued after the visit, Muntaka cautioned the public against the unsafe handling, transportation and use of explosives, urging citizens to comply strictly with laws and safety regulations governing such materials. He warned that negligence could have devastating consequences for individuals and communities .

The Ghana Immigration Service reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ghana's territorial integrity and combating cross-border crime, while extending condolences to the family of the deceased officer and wishing Inspector Yussif a speedy and full recovery .