Two dead, 7 injured and houses burnt in renewed Bolga Chieftaincy clash

Two people have been confirmed dead and seven others injured in a renewed violent chieftaincy confrontation in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

Several houses and properties have also been burnt in the incident which started Saturday evening at a funeral grounds at Atulbabisi community in the Bolga municipality.

It is not clear exactly what triggered the clash between the two royal gates which are caught up in a protracted chieftaincy dispute over who is the rightful chief to succeed the late Paramount chief of Bolgatanga Traditional area, Naaba Martin Abilba II.

Two chiefs are currently laying claim to the throne. One was installed by elders of the Bolgatanga Traditional Council while the other was installed by the overlord of Mamprugu Traditional Area in Nalerigu, Nayiri.

Though the case of who is the rightful heir to the throne is still being determined in court, the residents have been living in fear of a possible clash. Saturday’s clash which happened at about 5:30pm has caused some residents to flee the town for their safety.

Reports say confusion broke out at the funeral grounds among the two royal families which resulted in the burning of three houses, motor bikes and other properties belonging to both factions.

It is however unclear what caused the confusion but investigations have commenced to establish what triggered Saturday’s incident.

Meanwhile, calm has been restored in the area following the deployment of a joint military-police team in the area to prevent further clashes.

Military-cum-police posts have been mounted at major roads within Bolgatanga municipality and the one leading to Atulbabisi community.