Police intelligence in the Northern region have dismissed fears of a possible extension of the ethnic violence which occurred at Agbogbloshie in Accra to the North.
A bloody clash between migrant Konkombas and Dagombas in the nation’s capital resulted in several casualties on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 sparking fears of a spill over into the Northern region. Tension has been simmering between the two tribes since 1994 following the confusion over a guinea fowl.
Tensions were reported among members of the two tribes in Bimbila and the Saboba districts after reports that people were being phoned from Accra to arm themselves and attack.
Residents of Tongu, a Konkomba village in the Nanumba North district told Starr News via phone that an extension of the Agbogbloshie violence had occurred after loud screams were heard from houses, but a son of chief of the area denied and said there was a mild scuffle between two Konkomba brothers which was quickly settled.
The Regional Police Commander ACP Patrick Adusei Sarpong expressed outrage at the escalating rumor and slammed the media for ‘needlessly inciting fear and panic’.
“We don’t have such information and why should there be a spillover? So because they are fighting in Accra there should be a fight in the Northern region ?
He said there was no such intelligence and police strongly ruled out possibility of the chaos happening in the North.
“ Is (the fight) about all Konkombas in Accra and all Dagombas in Accra? If two people are fighting- Salifu and Abdullah are fighting, why can’t you say Salifu and Abdullah are fighting but we should go ahead and say Dagaati and Frafra when they have names,” the police boss raged.
Tensions have escalated in some parts of the Northern region from violence in other regions especially in Accra. In 2009 tensions were high in Tamale, Tolon, Yendi and Bimbila when three young men were killed in ethnic clashes.
Nonetheless, the regional Security Council told Starr News security forces are on high alert and will deal roundly with violence excesses from any region.
