Man, 56 killed, others injured in renewed Sovie chieftaincy dispute

Library photo

A 56 year old man has been killed with at least three other persons sustaining gunshot wounds in what is said to be a renewed chieftaincy dispute at Sovie near Kpando in the North Dayi district.

The incident which took place during a funeral last Sunday night, according an eyewitness,  saw the sporadic firing  of live bullets by alleged  supporters of one of the two  feuding factions in the dispute. This, has led to chaos at the funeral ground as people ran for their precious lives.

The district Police commander for North Dayi, ASP Twumasi Ankrah, who confirmed the incident to  Volta online   said the decease who has been identified as one Fabian Mensah Vidzro was shot in the neck and shoulder. Two other persons who sustained injuries, were also  treated and discharged at the Anfoega Catholic hospital, he noted. 

However, a third victim who has been identified as a  suspect in the latest clash, is still  on admission at  hospital  under police guard as investigations continue,  the ASP Ankrah noted.

A source at the hospital also disclosed to Volta online that some victims who were brought to the facility for treatment were taken away by their relatives over fears of a possible  reprisal attacks.

The Police commander further revealed that several empty cartridges believed to have been fired from sophisticated riffles including a  bazooka were retrieved from  the  scene.

He however noted a team of police personnel have been detailed in area since Monday to forestall any  reprisal attacks, as tension heightens in the area.

Sovie has been engulfed in a protracted chieftain dispute for many   years  now, this was after  the demise of then paramount chief, Togbe Nyako VI and subsequent installation of one George Prika as a successor with  the stool name Togbe Nyarko, VII. 

The situation, however turned violent since November last year, after another claimant to the stool, Felix Tordeytse was also enstooled as a rival chief with same stool name.

Supporters of both factions, according to the Police have clashed on a number of occasions at the least provocation and this, has resulted in the destruction of properties and injuries in some cases.

According to ASP Twumasi Ankrah, the dispute has led to  the proliferation of arms in the area, but  indicated that his outfit is on top of the situation. He noted that, some suspects arrested in connection with previous incidents are yet to be arraigned before court, as the district magistrate is on leave. 

He however assured that, the police will decisively deal with  the criminal elements  and appealed to  the relevant  institutions to work at resolving  the chieftaincy disputes to ensure lasting peace in the area.

 Source: Voltaonlinegh/LA