Man Caged Over Nakpanduri Clashes

Manyere Badjuari

A Nalerigu District Magistrate Court, presided over by Robert Agbleze, has remanded one Manyere Badjuari, 40, into prison custody to re-appear on June 28, 2012.

The suspect, who is facing a provisional charge of possessing firearms and ammunitions without lawful authority, was among 25 persons arrested during the recent skirmishes that broke out at Nakpanduri and Kpemeli in the Bunkpurugu-Yunyoo District. 

According to the facts of the case, the accused person is a farmer based at Chanska in the East Mamprusi District. 

On June 6, 2012, Konkombas and Bimobas clashed at Kpemale, a village near Nakpanduri over a parcel of land, which later degenerated into a serious conflict and led to the death of some people.

Reports say arms and ammunitions are being smuggled into the area to aid the warring factions. 

As a result of the severity of the incident, which led to the death of three persons including an 18-year-old JHS pupil, Moses Diam, a joint police and military taskforce was deployed to patrol the area. 

A day after the incident, the police had information that a Konkomba re-enforcement from neighboring villages was travelling to their relations as indications were that the Bimobas had overpowered them.   

Armed with this information, patrol teams were dispatched to the designated areas and during their surveillance the accused person was intercepted with two shot guns on a motorbike.

The rider, who is now at large and accused person, upon seeing the patrol vehicle jumped from the bike and fled into the bush. 

They were given a hot chase and the accused was arrested together with the exhibits while his accomplices managed to escape arrest. 

In his cautioned statement, he stated that he went on a hunting expedition and on his way home he met the rider who gave him a lift and gave him his weapon to hold. He further stated he does not know the accomplice.  

After investigations, the accused was charged with the offence and was remanded into prison custody for further investigations into the matter. 

Meanwhile uneasy calm has returned to Nakpanduri and Kpemeli since the attacks a fortnight ago.

The clashes led to the destruction of over 200 houses and rendered more than 2,000 persons including women and children homeless. 

The Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) chaired by the Regional minister, Moses Bukari  Mabengba, last weekend visited the troubled area to seek truce among the feuding factions. 

Sources from the area revealed that relief items had not been extended to the displaced persons who were temporarily being housed in local school buildings in the area.

 From Stephen Zoure, Tamale