Riot in Bugri - One Dead

A clash over loading rights between two rival groups of Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) at Bugri in the Bawku East District of the Upper East Region last Monday left one person dead and property valued at millions of cedis destroyed.

Three men, who were clubbed and became unconscious and were rushed to Bawku Hospital, are responding to treatment.

More than 25 houses have been burnt and about 100 persons have been displaced. A corn mill, several market sheds and barns have been also been burnt down and livestock killed. Those displaced have taken shelter under trees in the town.

An Eyewitness told newsmen that the trouble started when one Yinusah Awuni, an Assemblyman in the town, who is also a porter at the lorry park, tried to load a vehicle although it was not the turn of his group.

This resulted in an argument that eventually degenerated into an open fight in the course of which Ibrahim Abugri, Ali Mumuni and Mumuni Abagblla, all loading men, were beaten to unconsciousness with clubs.

The Eyewitness said when word about the fight at the lorry park went round, hell broke loose in the town leading to mob attacks and indiscriminate burning of thatched houses.

One Madam Apuayuga Awinbilla, who was trapped in one of the thatched houses, was burnt to death.

Meanwhile Military and Police personnel have been deployed in the area.

The Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salifu and the District Chief Executive, Mr Abdul-Rahman Gumah, paid a visit to Bugri on Wednesday to assess the situation.

Mr Salifu urged the people to remain calm and to allow peace to prevail.

He gave the assurance that thorough investigations were being conducted to ascertain the cause of the riot and that those who would be found responsible for any acts of lawlessness would be severely dealt with.