A violent attack in Nanik, a community in the Bunkprugu/Nakpanduri district of the North East Region, has left three people dead, with their bodies burnt beyond recognition. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, has intensified tensions between Nanik and the neighbouring Bimbagu community, who have been locked in a dispute over chieftaincy matters.
Among the deceased is 27-year-old Nashiru Maijida, a teacher who had been posted to Nanik from Walewale in the West Mamprusi Municipality two years ago. His body, along with those of the two other victims, has been transported to the Binde Hospital for autopsy.
The attack is believed to have been carried out by members of a rival faction from Bimbagu, who oppose the elevation of the Chief of Nanik to a paramountcy status. Residents of Nanik reported widespread destruction, with nearly 50 houses set ablaze and several properties reduced to ashes. Many families have been displaced, and fear remains high in the community.
The longstanding tension between Nanik and Bimbagu has been fuelled by disagreements over the chieftaincy hierarchy within the region. Prior to this attack, the chiefs and people of Bimbagu had appealed to the National Security and the National House of Chiefs to intervene and halt the proposed elevation of Nanik’s sub-divisional chief, Nanik Daana, to a paramountcy status. They argued that such a move would disrupt the traditional order and escalate conflicts in the area.
At a press conference in Bimbagu, the local chief and his supporters firmly stated their opposition to the decision taken by the North East Regional House of Chiefs and the Mamprugu Traditional Council. They went as far as warning Nanik Daana against setting foot in Bimbagu should he be elevated, further highlighting the deep-rooted hostility between the two communities.
Authorities have yet to make an official statement regarding the attack, but security measures are expected to be heightened in the area to prevent further violence. Meanwhile, residents of Nanik are calling for urgent intervention from the government and law enforcement agencies to restore peace and ensure justice for the victims.
The tragic incident underscores the volatility of chieftaincy disputes in Ghana, where disagreements over traditional leadership continue to fuel unrest in various parts of the country.
NewsandVibes.com
