4 dead, 9 injured as gunshots ring out in Bimbilla as butcher groups clash over ‘meat tax’ (updated)
Four persons have been confirmed dead with nine others injured in a gun battle that ensued in the Bimbilla township in the Nanumba North district of the Northern region after two groups of butchers clashed over the payment of homage to the regent.
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The Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh confirmed the deaths and the injury.
The incident occurred at about 10:30 am on Thursday, and is believed to have been triggered by the refusal of one of the factions to honour their obligation of presenting a share of animals killed in the local abattoir to the regent as custom demanded.
Only the timely intervention of security personnel prevented the situation from escalating.
The area has been under a 9pm to 5am curfew imposed last year over chieftaincy disagreements with security personnel already present in the area.
Sources close to the present flare up told Graphiconline’s Suweiba Yakubu in Bimbilla that it is the duty of every butcher to present part of their slaughter to the regent, but one group that disputes the legitimacy of the current regent had refused to honour the tradition.
Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna who condemned the shooting described it as unfortunate and said “while the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) is in discussion to seek peace in the area, others also want conflicts that have been deterring investors from contributing to the development of the town”.
He has therefore called for an urgent REGESEC meeting to review the curfew and urged security personnel to arrest suspects for proper investigation and prosecution to deter future occurrences.
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Meanwhile the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ebenezer Tetteh in an interview said more security personnel have been deployed to the area to ensure peace and tranquility.
ASP Tetteh said no arrest had been made except that investigations were still underway.
The District Chief Executive, Alhaji Ibn Abass in an interview expressed worry about the situation saying the incident has occurred in a holy month where people are expected to tolerate one another and make peace.