North Gonja: Two villages burnt down in renewed violence between two tribes

Two villages in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region have been razed to the ground after violence broke out between two factions.

The Lukula and Nyoagbini communities were attacked on the dawn of Thursday, June 1, 2023.

This has forced the residents to flee to the neighboring West Mamprusi municipality in fear for their lives.

The outbreak of violence reportedly started from renewed tension between the Mamprusi and Gonja tribal groups in the region.

The tension resurfaced on Tuesday, June 30 when reports emerged that the Mamprusi side had sent warriors to prevent the arrival of a rival chief from Daboya.

The National Security issued a warning to both sides on June 30, urging them to withdraw their warriors from the villages, the North East Regional Minister said.

Following the warning, police personnel were sent to the area, leading to the arrest of some suspects.

They also confiscated 10 motorbikes that belonged to the suspects.

Meanwhile, the fleeing residents said the Gonja traditional warriors have refused to leave the village.

Fighting between the two feuding groups has been going on for years since the creation of the new regions.

In August 2019, 34 houses were torched, while two persons died in a similar attack in Lukula.

The fight erupted between the groups in the community over the siting of a mosque.

In November 2021, violence erupted in Lukula over which group had the right to take royalties from the Fulani settlers in the community.