3 Killed in Yiyemba, Gushiegu

Three persons have been confirmed dead, while  two others have sustained injuries, in what is perceived to be reprisal attacks on Yiyemba, a farming community in the Gushiegu District in the Northern Region.

The remains of the deceased have been deposited at the Gushiegu Hospital morgue, while one of the two injured persons has successfully undergone surgical operation at the same hospital. 

As of the time of filing this report, the other victim, whose condition was said to be critical, was being rushed to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for treatment. 

The names of the dead and the injured were not readily given.

Tension

According to the Gushiegu District Chief Executive, Alhaji Alhassan Fuseini, many houses were burnt in the attack that occurred at dawn yesterday. 

"At the moment, I must say the situation is still very tense and volatile," he said.

He indicated that the matter was being handled by the District Security Committee (DISEC) and entreated both factions to exercise maximum restraint as the committee mapped out strategies to come up with a road map for a permanent solution to the impasse.

The Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, said efforts were being made to bring the disturbances under control. 

He indicated that a police re-enforcement was on its way to augment the number of men already on the ground. 

Mr Tetteh, however, stated that no arrest had been made yet.

Protracted land dispute 

He explained that the two feuding Konkomba communities, Yiyemba and Beriba, had been engaged in a protracted land dispute for some time now. 

He said a parcel of land situated between the two communities, located about 34 kilometres from Gushiegu, the district capital, was the source of the conflict.

About two weeks ago, the people of Yiyemba were alleged to have attacked Beriba, leading to the death of Mohammed Diwiri and the burning of 30 houses.