40 Suspects arrested for attacking two communities

Forty suspects have been arrested in connection with attacks on Disah and Salugu, two communities in the North Gonja District in the Northern Region, last Sunday.

The attacks led to the death of two persons and the burning down of several houses in the area.

The police have identified the deceased as a 90-year-old woman, Dimakara, whose charred body was discovered in one of the houses that was burnt down, and John Bikari, 45, whose body was found with gunshot wounds.

The bodies have been deposited at the Damongo Government Hospital.

Several buildings were set ablaze during the attack on the two communities, a situation which has been blamed on chieftaincy dispute.

Chieftaincy dispute

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Northern Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mr Mohammed Yusif Tanko, told the Daily Graphic that some of the people who were arrested were in possession of AK-47 rifles and gallons of petrol.

He said initial information received by the police last Sunday indicated that what led to the attacks on the two communities was that the Daboyawura (Chief of Daboya) sent some men to the area who were allegedly attacked by the Tampulmas.

In response, the Gonjas from Daboya and Damongo also organised and went to the communities to attack them.

There has been a long-standing dispute between the Tampulmas and the Gonjas in some parts of the North Gonja District over who is authorised to collect fees from the Fulani herdsmen in the area.

Security situation

Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Mr Salifu Saeed, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has led members of REGSEC to the area to assess the security situation on the ground.

During the visit, Mr Saeed warned that the security set up would deal ruthlessly with those who hid behind chieftaincy to perpetrate criminal acts.