The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has met the Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in Damongo as police reinforcement teams beef up security in Sawla and surrounding communities following violent clashes at Gbiniyiri.
The IGP led a high-powered delegation from the National Headquarters to the Savannah region yesterday Tuesday, August 26, to assess the situation and coordinate response efforts with local authorities.
His visit comes after deadly communal violence in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, which left several people dead and others injured on Sunday.
At the Jakpa Palace where the IGP called on the overlord of Gonjaland, IGP Yohuno assured the chiefs and people of a strong security presence to protect lives and property.
The IGP confirmed that reinforcement teams, including the Formed Police Unit (FPU) and Counter-Terrorism personnel, are working alongside the Ghana Armed Forces to stabilise Sawla, Gbiniyiri, Giniri, and other nearby communities.
“We have also mobilised FPU personnel, over 100 FPU personnel from Accra who have arrived and over 30 Counter-Terrorism Unit who have also arrived to support the men over here. We are getting to 300 policemen on the ground to help the people who are in this situation, people who are running away from this fight, so we can give them protection and also work with other security agencies to bring tensions down,” he stated.
(Cue Audio of IGP at the Jakpa Palace over Gbenyiri land dispute)
From the Yagbonwura’s palace, the IGP made a stop over at Sawlawura’s palace where Sawlawura Nungbanso told the IGP that the Brifor tribesmen across the border in the Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso made inroads into Ghana territory and fought on the side of their kins against the Gonjas.
In the meeting with the IGP and the military GOC northern region, the Sawlawura appealed to the security chiefs to return firearms and other weapons seized from a group of Gonja “Nbowuras” who were reportedly on their way to Gbiniyiri.
(Cue Audio of Sawlawura during IGPs visit to his palace over Gbenyiri impass)
Meanwhile Spear FM News can confirm that the Chief’s Palace in Gbiniyiri, a farming community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region, has been burnt down as violence over a land dispute escalates.
The burning happened yesterday Tuesday, August 26, just days after deadly clashes in the area left six people dead and 18 others injured. The conflict reportedly began when the Gbenyiriwura sold a piece of land to a private developer, but some residents opposed the sale.
Tensions rose when the developer tried to work on the land and was resisted by the community.
The violence broke out on Sunday, August 24, leading to the deaths of five people. Another person was killed the next day. Many of the injured are in critical condition, with gunshot and machete wounds.
The fighting has forced many residents, especially women and children, to flee their homes. Several houses and properties have also been destroyed.
Spear FM is still following the events as they unfold and we will keep you updated on every latest developments with regards to the Gbenyiri land dispute.
