Fresh violence erupted in Bawku on Wednesday, leaving one civilian dead and two others critically injured in the latest escalation of the town’s protracted chieftaincy conflict.

The confrontation, which took place in the afternoon, also saw the private residence of the Bawku Divisional Police Commander, ACP Adamu Seidu, set ablaze by angry youth.

According to reports, the unrest began when one faction in the chieftaincy dispute demanded that women from a rival faction vacate the local market. Tensions quickly boiled over, prompting a swift response from the police in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

However, chaos ensued when some youth allegedly fired shots at the police, triggering a gunfire exchange. The resulting violence led to the death of one civilian, with two others sustaining critical injuries.

The violence intensified when irate youth, reportedly in retaliation, attacked and torched the police commander’s residence. It remains unclear if anyone was inside the house during the attack.

In a further escalation, a police barracks was also targeted, and a police vehicle was set on fire. The situation forced officers and their families to evacuate the facility for safety.

Security agencies have since been deployed to restore calm, though no official statement has been released by the Ghana Police Service or the Upper East Regional Security Council.

The recurring violence in Bawku, rooted in a deeply entrenched chieftaincy dispute, continues to destabilize the community. Residents remain on edge as authorities work to prevent further clashes.