Six feared dead in chieftaincy clash in East Gonja

Six people are feared dead with scores injured following gunfire exchanges between Kalampor and Kafaba, two farming communities near Salaga in the East Gonja district of the Northern region at dawn of Wednesday.

The Northern Regional Police Command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammed Yussif Tanko, could not readily confirm the deaths but said policemen have been deployed to quell the fighting and maintain law and order.

Residents link the clashes between the two communities to a long-standing chieftaincy dispute over who is the rightful ruler of the Kafaba and Kalampor traditional areas with the people of Kalampor contesting the kingship of the overlord of Kafaba.

Last year, similar clashes between the two communities over the same dispute led to the deaths of eight people on Saturday, May 28, 2016.

Some residents have told Graphic Online that the present clash is because the Kalanpor chief, who is not recognised by the paramount chief of Kafaba, is preparing to celebrate the Damba festival.