One dead, others injured in renewed chieftaincy clash in Bolgatanga

One person died and two others sustained various degrees of cutlass and gunshot wounds when they were attacked by unknown assailants in what is believed to be a renewed chieftaincy clash in Bolgatanga last Sunday.

The deceased who has been identified as Azeingu Agana, 67, was attacked in his house at about 9:30pm on Sunday together with the two others who sustained the injuries.

The injured, identified as Adarigu Agambil, 24 and Akayiti Agana, 64, are currently receiving treatment at the Upper East Regional Hospital at Bolgatanga.

Remote cause

The disturbances have been linked to a ruling by the Bolgatanga High Court last Friday that quashed a decision by the Judicial Committee of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs that declared Mr.Raymond Alafia Abilba as the Paramount Chief of Bolgatanga in October 2016.

The High Court verdict did not also say who the next Bolgatanga Paramount Chief should be. In view of these happenings, security has been beefed up in the Municipality including the two palaces housing the rival chiefs to forestall further clashes.

Misinterpretation

Some followers of the chieftaincy divide, however saw the decision by the High Court as “victory” and thus celebrated it throughout the capital from Friday through Sunday.

Their jubilation was however cut short on Sunday night following the attack by those who saw the ruling by the High Court as unsatisfactory.

Police

When contacted, the Upper East Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP), Vincent Dejoe stated that the police were investigating the matter but the security personnel were on the ground to avert any further disturbances.

Background

In May 2015, controversy rocked the Bolgatanga Skin when two persons were enskinned at two separate ceremonies as Bolga Nabas. They are Mr.Raymond Alafia Abilba and Mr.Joseph Apakre.

The Skin became vacant in September 2013 after the demise of the late Martin Abilba III.

In October last year, the Judicial Committee of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs ruled in favour of Mr.Abilba as the new Bolga Naba.

However, unsatisfied with the ruling, Mr.Apakre sought redress at the Bolgatanga High Court where the court quashed the ruling of the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs for not following due process in its adjudication process.