Order restored to Yendi after clash between Abudu, Andani groups

Five persons who were arrested in connection with the disturbances are in Tamale to assist in police investigations, while the injured persons are responding to treatment at the Yendi Hospital.

Seventeen more suspects were arrested yesterday (Tuesday) in a swoop by the police in search of arms but 16 of them were later granted police enquiry bail after the police found no incriminatory evidence against them.

One of the suspects was, however, detained to assist in investigations after the police found a gun in his home.

According to the Northern Regional Police Crime Officer, Alhaji Mahama Arhin, the situation was now under control and his outfit was very alert to avert any further clashes between the feuding groups.

He warned that the police would deal ruthlessly with any person or group that would take the law into its own hands to visit mayhem on the people.

Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) met yesterday to deliberate on how to prevent the situation from further degeneration.

The Chairman of the committee, Mr Bede Ziedeng, who is the Northern Regional Minister, directed that security be beefed up to intensify patrols, while all entry points must be fortified to check the infiltration of arms into the volatile area.

According to Alhaji Arhin, although the immediate cause of the clash had not been established, the leadership of the Andani and the Abudu youth had accused each other of sparking the violence.

He explained that the clash was believed to be in connection with the intended enskinment of a rival youth chief by the Abudus in the protracted Dagbon chieftaincy divide.

He said Abdulai Nurudeen, who was being prepared for enskinment by the Abudus, was allegedly attacked in his home by unidentified, gun-wielding young men who were said to have subsequently burnt two vehicles and destroyed some houses and stores in the process.

Story by Zakaria Alhassan