Houses burnt as a result of the chaos
Five persons who were arrested at Kpatinga in the Gusheigu district of the Northern Region, in connection with the recent chieftaincy violence in the area, were remanded into prison custody by a Tamale circuit court on Tuesday.
The five accused persons are Hashim Mumanjadi, 32 a health assistant; Alidu Alhassan, 27, Fatawu Kpanala, 35; Mohammadu Dokurugu, 55; and Iddrisu Azindoi, all farmers.
Four of the accused persons were remanded into prison custody to reappear before the court on February 11, whilst Muhammadu Dukurogu, the eldest among them, is expected to reappear on February 6.
Charges
The Northern regional crime officer, Supt Kwebena Otuo Acheampong, in an interview with the Daily Statesman, said the accused persons have been charged with conspiracy to commit crime, rioting with weapons, causing unlawful damage, causing harm and possession of fire arms in a prohibited area.
He said police investigations are underway to establish further facts in relation to the violence, which claimed one life and left several homes burnt.
Several farm produce, especially yam, worth thousands of Ghana cedis have also been burnt as a results of the clash.
Conflict
Renewed chieftaincy violence between two feuding gates in the area on January 24 2020 left one dead and several others, including a police offer, injured.
The deceased, identified as Alhassan Abass, a 55-year-old traditional healer, was caught up in crossfire between security officers deployed in the area to maintain peace and some civilians on Sunday morning.
Supporters of two rival chiefs clashed at a funeral, and started shooting at each other.
Both chiefs are holding themselves as the rightful owners to the skin.
The confusion started when relatives of a deceased sub-chief visited the palace of one of the chiefs as part of the funeral processes, an exercise that did not go well with the supporters of the rival chief.
According to a youth chief in the area, Alhassan Salifu, the relatives of the deceased chief, per customs and traditions of Dagbon, went to the palace of Chief Alhassan Natogma as regent of Kpatinga to represent the Abudu Royal Gate as part of the funeral processes.
This move angered the supporters of his contender, Chief Fuseini Ziblim, who was also enskinned by the then Kampakuya-Na, now Yo-Na, to represent the Andani Royal Gate.
Chief Salifu said the situation, if not handled well, can lead to more chaos as many are prepared to die.
Caution
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, who is also the chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has cautioned residents of the area to desist from fomenting trouble in the name of chieftaincy.
Mr Saeed said the security apparatus will deal ruthless with any person or group of persons who will attempt to create anarchy and chaos in the region.
The Regional Minister, who led a high-powered government delegation to the troubled Kpatinga, in a fact finding mission, noted with dismay the level of destruction.
The delegation included MP for Gushegu and Deputy Tourism Minister, Dr Ziblim Iddi; the municipal chief executive for Gushegu; as well as heads of the military and police establishments in the Northern Region.
Meanwhile, several people, especially women and children, have since fled the area for fear of reprisal attacks, with schools remaining closed despite the relative calm in the area.
There is, however, heavy presence of combined police and military in Kpantiga and other communities within the Gushegu municipality.
Source: Daily Statesman
