Dozens feared dead on Oti River capsized boat

Reports reaching Graphic Online indicate that an unknown number of persons have drowned on the Oti River near Chereponi in the Northern Region.

The victims are said to be residents of nearby Kokomba and Chokosi communities who were fleeing to neighbouring Togo over the fear of reprisal attacks, following the communal violent clashes that broke between the Kokombas and Chokosis in Naaduni near Chereponi last Friday.

According to reports, the boat on which the victims were travelling capsized on the Oti River Saturday afternoon, June 3, 2018.

The Chereponi District Director of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) Officer, Mr Fambali Muntala in an interview confirmed the incident and said officials of NADMO and some residents of the area are currently on a rescue mission.

He said NADMO could not respond swiftly to the disaster due to the heighten tension in the area following the violent clashes between the two ethnic groups.

Clashes

A violent communal clash broke between the Konkombas and Chekosis ethnic groups in the Chereponi on Friday, June 1, this year, leading to the death of two persons. Several others sustained severe gunshot wounds.

Thirteen people have so far been arrested by the police in connection with the violent clashes in the area.