Chereponi violence escalates; 150 houses burnt and over dozen killed

The violence between two ethnic groups in the Chereponi District of the Northern Region has escalated with more than 150 house torched and over a dozen unconfirmed deaths recorded, according to news reaching MyNewsGh.com.

Residents who are fleeing the area into neighbouring Togo, say the imposition of a dawn to dusk curfew has done little to salvage their situation as their homes are being attacked by opposing sides in the heightening violence on Saturday dawn.

Government on Thursday January 3, 2019 imposed a curfew on the Chereponi and Saboba communities which will last between 4 pm and 7 am each day, a statement from the Interior Ministry said.

The statement signed by the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery said the decision was on the advice of the Northern Regional Security Council.

But sources disclosed to MyNewsGh.com that on Saturday dawn, the situation assumed an alarming proportion as some factions reignited reprisal attacks on some communities leaving pregnant women under severe pains who are also unable access any health facility due to the clashes.

Health workers in Chereponi have fled the area for fear of being attacked because they live in houses belonging to either side.

Women and children have fled Chereponi to Tamale and neighboring country Togo.

The immediate cause of the renewed clashes is over a parcel of land with both tribes laying claim to the same land.

Chereponi has a population of 53,294 at last count in 2010 with some 50% of them are under 15 years.

But Chokosis and Konkombas are fighting over who can use a two-acre land sparking the violence for more than two days with no indication of what security personnel are doing to save the situation.

Meanwhile Northern Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Committee, Salifu Sa-eed said the region’s Security Council had observed assailants plan and execute their attacks late in the night and at dawn.