The government has lifted the curfew in Nalerigu Township and surrounding areas in the North East Region, citing improved peace and security. The announcement was made by the Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak (MP), on Monday, 16 February 2026.
The decision to lift the curfew follows advice from the North East Regional Security Council and was formalized through an Executive Instrument.
In his statement, Minister Mohammed-Mubarak urged local chiefs, opinion leaders, youth groups, and residents to exercise restraint and continue to foster peace. He called on the people of the area to channel their energies into non-violent means of addressing local challenges.
“The Government continues to urge Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, Youth, and People of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area,” the Minister said.
The curfew was initially imposed due to a surge in violent incidents in the North East Region in 2025. This included attacks on students at Nalerigu Senior High School, as well as house burnings and unrest that threatened lives and property.
Security forces were deployed to contain the situation, and the curfew restricted movement during evening and night hours to restore order. The unrest was partly linked to broader ethnic and chieftaincy tensions in northern Ghana, including long-standing disputes in nearby regions.
Over time, as the security situation improved and local leaders engaged in peace-building efforts, authorities reviewed the restrictions, eventually facilitating the lifting of the curfew.
