Sayeegu Chief, three others killed in renewed clashes in the Northern region

The chief of Sayeegu, Woobjung Kamoutan (termites cannot consume stone) and four others including his eldest son have been assassinated in a renewed protracted land dispute between the Sayeegu and Sambiluk communities near Nakpanduri in the Bunkprugu-Yunyoo district of the Northern region.

The victims were allegedly killed at a farmland in an ambush strike by an armed mob suspected to be residents of Sambiluk community who have repeatedly launched deadly attacks on each other over a parcel of land.

Earlier reports said the chief had escaped the attack and fled to the Bunkprugu Chief Palace where he was seeking refuge.

But the Bunkprugu Chief, Alhaji Abuba Nasingmong, told Starr News the subchief, his son and elder brother were savagely murdered on their way to farm by a hooded gang who laid ambush and overpowered them Sunday morning.

According to the chief, the two communities engaged in heavy gun battle when information of the killing reached the Sayeegu faction. Another person from the Sambiluk was also reportedly killed in the exchanges.

Bad road and poor communication networks delayed security forces reaction and heightened tension among the feuding parties.

It is not clear whether the murdered Chief and his family trespassed on the disputed land.

A raging violence between two Bimoaba clans -Boukteeb and Tanmung families – in the two farming communities have left at least 22 dead and several properties destroyed.

In April last year, a police officer Constable Frederick Dadzie was shot and over 70 houses burnt when violence broke out between the neighbours. Bodies of the chief and his family have been transported to the Nalerigu hospital and security forces deployed.

Police in the area have confirmed the recent murder and said tension was high in the two communities.

The Bunkprugu district police commander ASP Delaport said the police are still mobilising to strengthen security where reprisals are imminent.

He did not link the killing to the longstanding land disagreement, but said investigation was underway