Savannah Region: 70 arrested after renewed clashes at Lukula and Mempeasem

This follows a renewed clash between members of the Gonja and Mamprusi tribes.

The violence erupted after a man was shot and killed in the area.

The suspects were rounded up in a swoop conducted by security operatives at Daboya on Friday dawn upon intelligence.

Mamprusi and Gonja tribes clash Pulse Ghana

The suspects are in police custody pending screening as part of investigations.

The Police in a statement said a gang numbering about 50 reportedly invaded the Mempeasem community and kidnapped a 50-year-old man.

The gang, however, fled into the bush when the Police responded to the attack.

The Police managed to rescue the kidnapped victim and retrieved one AK-47 weapon together with 14 rounds of ammunition, seven motorbikes, and two bicycles from the scene of the incident.

A search for the suspects in the area led to a further retrieval of a bag containing 240 AK-47 ammunition.

Mamprusi and Gonja tribes clash Pulse Ghana

It said on 1st June 2023, the Police, while on patrols within the communities, responded to another distress call of an attack by another gang on the Lukula community. The said suspects who were on a rampage, burning houses and shooting randomly, opened fire on the Police upon seeing them, three suspects, who sustained gunshot wounds during their arrest, are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility.

A search conducted on them led to the retrieval of one (1) pump action gun, two (2) single barrel guns, one long knife, 80 live cartridges, some talismans, and cowries

The clashes happened on Thursday, May 29, 2023, after days of tension in the community over the pending arrival of a rival from Daboya in the Wasipe Traditional Area.

The latest outbreak of violence could be traced to renewed tension between two tribal groups.

There have been violent clashes between them since the creation of the new regions.

It has been reported that there have been some casualties from the violence, and some locals of the affected areas have been fleeing to communities in the West Mamprusi municipality.

Gonjas and Mamprusis have lived together peacefully for ages and have become family through intermarriage and other social relationships.