File photo of police patrolling conflict-prone areas
The regent of Bimbilla has been indicted in a report on the renewed chieftaincy clashes which resulted in the death of 19 people.
According to the police report presented in a Tamale District Court, the Bimbilla Regent, Nyilinboligu-Naa Andani Dasana’s attempt to ban three butchers from using the Bimbilla Abattoir triggered the clashes.
Presenting the facts of the case in court, Chief Inspector George Mensah Kpligi said the regent and his elders held a meeting on July 7, 2015 and resolved that Mohammed Bros, Mahamaru Bila and Nan Sayibu (all butchers) be banned from the abattoir.
This decision was based on the three butchers’ rejection to pay royalties to the regent.
The said butchers ignored official correspondence from the chief and went there for their usual activities.
This, according to the police report, resulted in a scuffle between the regent’s emissaries and the three butchers, which finally spilled over in the Bimbilla township.
Twelve people have been reported dead whilst several casualties were recorded.
Eight suspects were arraigned before court for various offences and have since been remanded pending further investigations.
They are Abdulai Ahmed Shirage, Alhassan Fatawu, Suale Tahidu, Mohammed Salifu, Imoro Nashiru, Iddrisu Habib, Ibrahim Sualisu and Issahaku Mahami.
