The group also indicated that, the security personnel stationed in Bimbilla are few, hence their inability to arrest perpetrators of grievous crimes in the area including suspected murder.

[contextly_sidebar id=”R9uPhjnyS0NrB905293Omce2BRF9Tvyt”]The President of the Nanumba Youth Association, Dr. Hafiz Taher, said the recent arm attacks on residents are all connected to the chieftaincy issues, and appealed to the security agencies to react swiftly  to ensure sanity.

“We think that the earlier we address those concerns the better. Experience will tell us that once there is a feud especially a chieftancy case where you have two factions, once there is an attack from one side, the tendency is that the other side will also prepare and then would want to retaliate, and there will be reprisal attacks” Dr. Hafiz Taher said.

Curfew reviewed after sporadic gunfire

The Ministry of Interior has reviewed the curfew it imposed on the Bimbilla Township following recent reports of sporadic gunfire in the area.

The curfew, which previously spanned six hours from  10:00pm to 4:00am, has been reviewed to the period from dusk to dawn [6:00pm to 6:00am] effective today, Friday, January 12, 2018.

“The Minister of the Interior has on the advice of the Northern Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument reviewed the existing curfew hours for Bimbilla Township from 10:00pm to 4:00am to 6:00pm to 6:00am effective this Friday, January 12, 2018,” the Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery said.

Two arrested in connection with Bimbilla shooting

Two persons were also arrested in connection with  a recent shooting in Bimbilla which left three persons dead and seven others hospitalized.

The Northern Regional Security Council deployed a 30-man security reinforcement team to the area on Friday following the incident.

Supreme Court hearing begins February 13

The Supreme Court has said it will hear the case relating to the Bimbilla chieftaincy dispute on February 13, 2018

The case was sent to the Supreme Court by the late Nakpaa Naa Salifu Dawuni after the National House of Chiefs ruled against him at Kumasi in the Ashanti Region.

Bimbilla, over the last 15 years, has been engulfed in a chieftaincy conflict which has led to clashes between the various factions, and has claimed over forty lives, including women and children.

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Anass S. Seidu/cititfmonline.con/Ghana

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The Northern Regional Security Council deployed a 30-man security reinforcement team to the area on Friday following the incident.

[contextly_sidebar id=”W7XSIoSn247BoRWFPxhtzVYStZbJu4DX”]Unlike Friday, when shops remained closed, life is gradually returning back to normal in the township, Citi News‘ Mohammed Alabira reported.

According to him, people were, on Saturday, seen going about their normal businesses.

The Ministry of Interior reviewed the curfew it imposed on the Bimbilla Township following recent reports of sporadic gunfire in the area.

The curfew, which previously spanned six hours from 10:00 pm to 4:00 am has been reviewed to the period from dusk to dawn effective yesterday, Friday, January 12, 2018.

The township has been placed under a curfew for well over a decade now following some protracted chieftaincy conflicts.

According to eyewitnesses, the latest eruption of violence on Thursday occurred when two persons on a motorbike allegedly shot at the victims, who had finished with their evening Islamic prayers, and were seated at a known public place.

The three dead have since been buried and the seven are currently receiving treatment at the Tamale teaching hospital.

RCC endorses review of curfew

The Northern Regional Coordinating in a statement endorsed the review of the curfew.

The Regional Security Council at its meeting held on Friday, January 12, 2018, extensively discussed the above report and agreed with the recommendations that;

i.The curfew in Bimbilla Township be reviewed from the current 10:00 pm to 4:00 am to 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.

ii.There be an immediate ban on the use of motorbikes to transport more than one person.

iii.There be an immediate ban on drumming and dancing in the Bimbilla Township.

iv.There be an immediate reinforcement of security in the district.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Two arrested in connection with Bimbilla shooting appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The curfew, which previously spanned six hours from  10:00pm to 4:00am has been reviewed to the period from dusk to dawn [6:00pm to 6:00am] effective today, Friday, January 12, 2018.

“The Minister of the Interior has on the advice of the Northern Regional Security Council and by Executive Instrument reviewed the existing curfew hours for Bimbilla Township from 10:00pm to 4:00am to 6:00pm to 6:00am effective this Friday, January 12, 2018,” the Minister of Interior Ambrose Dery said in a statement issued today.

[contextly_sidebar id=”kShvMxQjV0UySCfz9hToqFckgXj4GBbp”]The township has been placed under a curfew for well over a decade now following some protracted chieftaincy conflicts.

3 dead, 8 injured from sporadic gunshots in Bimbilla

Three people died in Bimbilla with eight others injured in an attack on Thursday by unknown assailants.

According to eyewitnesses, two persons on a motorbike allegedly shot at them and sped off.

Five of the injured victims with various degrees of injury are receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, with three others at the Bimbilla Hospital.

The incident led to sporadic shootings in some parts of the troubled town.

RCC endorses review of curfew

The Northern Regional Coordinating in a statement endorsed the review of the curfew.

The Regional Security Council at its meeting held on Friday, January 12, 2018 extensively discussed the above report and agreed with the recommendations that;

i.The curfew in Bimbilla Township be reviewed from the current 10:00pm to 4:00am to 6:00pm to 6:00am.

ii.There be an immediate ban on the use of motorbikes to transport more than one person.

iii.There be an immediate ban on drumming and dancing in the Bimbilla Township.

iv.There be an immediate reinforcement of security in the district.

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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Bimbilla curfew reviewed after sporadic gunfire appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The incident occurred on Thursday night after the victims had finished with their evening Islamic prayers.

[contextly_sidebar id=”sm5WRiELmVrIzxwe0RPIEs9FOPpE6b7h”]According to eyewitnesses, two persons on a motorbike allegedly shot at them and sped off.

It is unclear what may have triggered the shooting.

Three people were killed while five others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The bodies of the deceased have been released to their families for burial and injured persons in the attack are responding to treatment.

Citi News’ Mohammed Alabira reported that security personnel have been positioned at vantage points in Bimbilla this morning, as a result of the incident.

Bimbilla, for the past decade, has been classified as a hotspot by the police due to recurrent conflicts in the area which have claimed several lives, including women and children.

Last December, the celebration of the annual Damba festival in Bimbilla was suspended as a result of rising tensions in the area.

The area has for several months been under a 4:00 pm to 6:00 am curfew due to the consistent gun attacks.

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By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Northern Regional Police on manhunt for Bimbilla shooters appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The incident occurred on Thursday night when the victims had finished with their evening Islamic prayers, and were seated at a known public place.

According to eyewitnesses, two persons on a motorbike allegedly shot at them and sped off. It is unclear what may have triggered the shooting.

[contextly_sidebar id=”Pj3bu7HgYDKTUO7i8HDDtW036EzU4HyM”]Five of the injured victims with various degrees of injury, are receiving treatment at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, with three others at the Bimbilla Hospital.

The incident led to sporadic shootings in some parts of the troubled town of Bimbilla.

Bimbilla for the past decade has been struggling with a chieftaincy conflict which has claimed several lives including women and children.

Recently, a pregnant woman was shot dead, while her 14-year-old daughter was left injured after an unknown assailant opened fire on them.

The township has over the last few years been considered a crime hotspot leading to series of violent clashes involving the use of ammunition.

Last month, the celebration of the annual Damba festival in Bimbilla was suspended to prevent a potential conflict.

The area has for several months been under a 4:00 pm to 6:00am curfew due to the consistent gun attacks.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 3 dead, 8 injured from sporadic gunshots in Bimbilla appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 40-year-old woman was shot dead following some sporadic gunfire that rocked the troubled town on Tuesday.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2qadOjE6DtoINd9iirsZIoaXwdzJvEGi”]The deceased’s 14-year-old daughter was also injured in the attack.

“Because of the troubles in that area, I think some people keep some ammo in places they shouldn’t keep [it]. So when the fire hit it the ammo started exploding so people thought it was gunfire and in the process, somebody actually went to murder that woman,” the Minister explained on Eyewitness News.

He offered up the reward as he urged the police do all it could to arrest the perpetrators of the crime.

“I am saying to the security agencies that you should do everything and anything possible under the sun. in fact, I am pledging GHc 10000 of my personal money… if somebody can give information to get the perpetrator of the heinous crime, I will give the person GHc 10, 000.

“That woman should not have been murdered. She has not committed any crime. she has done nothing for somebody to just go and murder her in cold blood for no reason. I think that was callous,” he lamented.

Police in the Bimbilla district have commenced investigations into the Tuesday shooting and picked up some AK 47 ammunition from the area of the crime.

The Bimbilla township has over the last few years been considered a crime hotspot leading to series of violent clashes involving the use of ammunition.

Last week, the celebration of the annual Damba festival in Bimbilla was suspended to prevent any potential conflict.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nitiwul offers GHc10,000 for capture of Bimbilla woman’s killer appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The incident led to the death of a 40-year-old woman, and injured her 14-year-old daughter who is currently receiving treatment at the Bimbilla hospital.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2LQNJvcXW7ekV1wYrbTlAwTUa3IHltNc”]“He [Suspect] is an unidentified person. We have not made any arrest, but we picked up AK47 and other ammunition from the house. The issue is still under investigation,” ASP Ebenezer Kusi, the Bimbilla Crime Officer told Citi News.

Explaining the incident, he said, “On Tuesday around 8:00pm, we heard a gunshot in town, so a Police/Military team proceeded to the place, and went to a certain house and found a woman, Rahinatu Alhassan, 40, dead, and her daughter Khadija Bediako, 14, wounded on her left shoulder. We took the body to the Bimbilla Hospital mortuary. The girl is responding to treatment.”

The Bimbilla township has over the last few years been considered a crime hotspot leading to series of violent clashes involving the use of ammunition.

Last week, the celebration of the annual Damba festival in Bimbilla was suspended to prevent potential conflict.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bimbilla: Woman killed in sporadic shooting; police begins probe appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He made this known at a two-day workshop in the area aimed at sensitizing the youth on the need for peaceful coexistence to promote local development.

He therefore called on the Supreme Court to speed up the judicial process with regards to the dispute currently before it.

Father Kuusah expressed optimism that both factions will accept the final decision of the Supreme Court.

“It is not healthy because of the expectations, people are very confident, they are expecting that the ruling may go their favour and once the ruling comes, the dust will begin to settle. So whichever way it goes, I believe it will work. We need to keep reminding them that further delay is also causing a lot of anxiety in the area so if it is within their time frame to come out with the review as soon as possible it will help,” he said.

He also urged the youth in Nanumba north district to be ambassadors of peace in their communities to ensure lasting peace in the area.

The call became necessary as some of the youth have been found to be the major actors in the violence.

The Yendi Peace Center has been very instrumental in ensuring peace in the Nanung traditional area since 2013, through various social programs.

Father Thaddeus Kuusah noted that, peace-building is a collective responsibility, and therefore the youth of the area must get involved in the peace process by being ambassadors of change in their respective communities.

“The workshop is to help create a stable environment in Bimbilla and Nanung in general, whilst the issue at the supreme court is ongoing. People must continue to live their lives and businesses must go on, and all these means that relationships must continue. The programme is therefore to get all stakeholders to begin to appreciate the issues that they are going through, have a better understanding of the conflict and the peace that they need, and how they can also contribute towards it. You can not bring peace to the people, they are those living here and they feel the pinch so they must own the peace,” Father Thaddeus Kuusah said.

The District Chief Executive for the area, Abdulai Yaqoub, urged the people to use appropriate channels in addressing their grievances instead of taking the law into their own hands.

He further bemoaned the number of resources being spent in keeping the peace in the area, adding that these resources could have been used to develop the area.

“Resources that could have been channeled towards providing various social amenities to the people have been sunk into conflict prevention and management. The figure on the upkeep and maintenance of security personnel deployed to the area as a result of the conflict has hit an alarming value. As a people, let us learn to tolerate each other and to forgive one another. Let us also learn to follow the processes of the law instead of guns and cutlasses. The law courts should be resorted to anytime there is the need for redress,” he said.

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By: Mohammed Aminu M Alabira/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Delay in ruling on Bimbilla chieftaincy case causing tension – Peace Council appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The statement described the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which the minority represents as rather hypocritical and scandalous.

[contextly_sidebar id=”o87OcT10pqJhWmPYC6CxOMFNOD6HDh6W”]The statement further accused the previous NDC government as being responsible for the chieftaincy disputes in the Nanung traditional area.

The Naa Salifu family in their statement, also commended the NPP government for the bold decision taken to give the late chief a befitting burial.

Ahead of the burial, the NDC minority had suggested that tensions were high in the town, and that could renew the conflict there.

However, the burial took place peacefully under heavy security presence.

Read the full statement below.

RE:GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MEDDLING IN BIMBILLA CHIEFTAINCY ISSUES ;MINORITY.

The attention of the family of the Late Naa Salifu DAWUNI, has been drawn to a press conference addressed by Hon James AGALGA on behalf of the minority in Parliament in connection with the peaceful burial ceremony of the late Chief whose mortal remains has been put to rest after almost four years of detention at the Yendi mortuary by the previous NDC government, the minority represents.

It was our expectation as a family that the minority would have supported this very decisive and bold decision taken by NPP to restore the fundamental human rights of a very respected citizen of this country and nanung to a descent final resting place upon his demise about almost four years ago. Unfortunately and very sadly the very government who had the ultimate responsibility to guarantee the fundamental human right of every citizen of this country flatly and brazenly denied this nobleman this right, and yet have the impudence today,to accuse government officials of meddling in bimbilla chieftaincy issues.We consider it very hypocritical and scandalous and the Naa Salifu DAWUNI’S family takes very serious exception to this act of insensitivity of the minority who are the very architects of the fragile peace in nanung today they are hypocritically drawing government attention to protect.

This press conference by the minority confirms, the long held suspicion of the family that, all actions they took against the family while in government was deliberately orchestrated to make life unbearable for the family.

The family is committed to all necessary processes that will bring lasting peace to nanung, a kingdom that was known for its peace and tranquility among all the traditional areas in Ghana, due to its well structured leadership succession in the land,until this unfortunate and recent development in subverting the established order that has thrown the area into this chieftaincy turmoil.

We are therefore feeling very reluctant in raking the past. Otherwise He Hon AGALGA is fully aware that at the time the Ndc government declared Mr Andani Dassana as the overlord of nanung, and gave him a state burial as a paramount chief, The matter was in the court and there was a letter from the national house chiefs, instructing both  parties in the chieftaincy dispute not to hold themselves as Bimbilla Naa, since per their records there was no Paramount chief in the nanung traditional area.

So Hon AGALGA and the minority should spare us this hypocrisy and double standards.

We want to request that if the minority have nothing productive to contribute to or to support the present initiative of the NPP Government towards lasting peace in the area, they should spare us the agony of adding salt to our injuries. The family has suffered so much pain under the previous Ndc government, ranging from the denial of our fundamental right to a descent shelter, when we were instructed to halt the construction of a pavilion to shelter us from the vagueries of the weather, to the denial of our economic rights to livelihood when our supporters who are butchers were banned from practicing their trade to erk a living for themselves and their families.

All these actions were masterminded and orchestrated by the Regional minister and this same AGALGA, then the dep, minister for interior. Hon AGALGA,we sheltered you in nanung where you had your basic education, we did you no wrong. Under the circumstance what we require of you is to support efforts at bringing lasting peace to the area or to stay out of this matter and not to act as though you are the spokesperson for the Dassana family, our knowledge of your connection with them notwithstanding.

We wish as a family to let the general public know and not be deceived by twists in the media, that where the Old man has finally been put to rest is different from where the family intended to bury him during the NDC regime,(that is, his private residence) but which was flatly turned down for no justification.  We are as a family are most grateful to the President and the Npp government for doing what is right in the eyes of God and humanity and our tears have been wiped as a family by this gesture.

Thank you.

Amadu Mustapha, spokesperson  0244976544

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By: Mohammed Aminu Alabira/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Minority’s comments on Bimbilla hypocritical – late chief’s family appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Three years following his demise, the late Nakpaa-Naa Salifu Dawuni was finally buried in line with the customs and traditions of the Nanung traditional area.

[contextly_sidebar id=”jTgyjJb3S9xFei9UjIYq3l6E2JqJQm8J”]The family, in a Citi News interview, thanked the government and other relevant stakeholders mediating the chieftaincy dispute in the Nanung traditional area, for bringing finality to the late chief’s burial.

The family members reaffirmed their commitment to zealously uphold and sustain the peace and stability in the area.

They have also called for genuine reconciliation and unity to move the Nanung traditional area forward in the right direction.

The Spokesperson for the family, Bihi-Naa Amadu Mustapha Zakari, said, “On behalf of the late Naa Salifu Dawuni family, I want to use this opportunity to thank the government for the support granted us leading to the peaceful burial of the late Naa Salifu Dawuni.”

“We want to thank the security institutions for heavy deployment of security personnel to guarantee public safety and all the other relevant institutions for their support.”

“We declare our cooperation with the security institutions and indeed government to ensure the peaceful conduct of individuals within the traditional area.”

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Bimbilla: Late Nakpaa-Naa’s family lauds gov’t support for burial appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.