Two arrested over deadly chieftaincy clash in Northern Ghana

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Two persons have been arrested in connection with a deadly chieftaincy clash at Kpatinga in the Gushegu district of the Northern Region.

The suspects who had in their possession weapons have been detained and are assisting the police in their investigations.

Police confirmed the arrest after the attack left four persons injured and at least 10 houses torched on Friday, January 24, 2020 at about 5:30pm.

The four injured persons have since been treated and discharged.

Violence flared up in the community after two rival chiefs reportedly engaged in a gun battle .

Both chiefs are holding themselves as the rightful claimants to the Kpatinga skin who have the right to enskin subchiefs.

Witnesses say a sub-chief died and his funeral started last week and was expected to be completed on that fateful day. As part of the tradition, relatives of the deceased sub-chief needed to go to the chief of the area for some rituals to be performed.

Reports said when the family visited the palace, one of the contenders who is the reagent of the area instigated the confusion.

Spokesperson for the Northern Regional Police Command DSP Yusif Tanko who confirmed the development, however, said the situation is under control.

He indicated that a joint police and military team has been deployed to the community pointing to planned further attacks.

“Currently both police and military presence are on the grounds ensuring that peace prevails… Police and military presence will continue to be in the community till such a time that we think it will be safe to leave. Investigations are ongoing to identify more culprits and have them arrested,” said DSP Tanko.

REGSEC holds talks with factions, warns troublemakers

Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Security Council has since visited the community and has held talks with the factions.

Northern Regional Minister, Salifu Saeed, stated that the perpetrators of the Kpatinga shooting incident would not be spared.

He said “we are not going to allow that. We won’t allow anyone to take the security of Dagbon for granted.”

He added steps have been taken to beef up security in the community to prevent further clashes among the feuding groups.

“Do not allow people to disturb the peace in this community”, he warned.

By Jonathan Ofori, Daily Mail GH