The Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and a team of top security officers have engaged chiefs, opinion leaders and community stakeholders at Gbiniyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region as part of efforts to restore peace and stability in the area.

Communal clashes over land ownership in the area left six people dead, with more than a dozen others injured at the weekend.

The IGP’s team visited Gbiniyiri to assess the security situation, with uncertainty hanging over the area, and women and children reportedly fleeing to safety.

A reinforcement team has since been deployed from Accra to Sawla, Gbiniyiri, Giniri and other adjoining communities to beef up security  to maintain calm.

Engagement

Earlier on Monday, Mr Yohuno met with the Regional Security Council, chaired by the Regional Minister, Salisu Bi-Awuribe, during which he received briefing on the conflict.

The IGP and other security chiefs then proceeded to the Jakpa Palace where they met with the Overlord of Gonjaland, Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I, to seek his support to help to restore calm in the area.

At the meeting, the IGP said about 300 security personnel had been deployed to the area due to the escalating disturbances.

He said for a very long time, such an incident had not been recorded in Gonjaland, and that the security forces would do everything possible to restore calm.

He urged the Gonja Overlord to facilitate dialogue through direct appeals to the feuding parties in order to restore calm, and to solicit their cooperation with the security agencies to ensure lasting peace.

The Yagbonwura pledged his commitment to ensure that the issue was amicably resolved.

He appealed to the youth, particularly the feuding factions, to lay down their weapons and rather use lawful means to settle their differences.

Background 

Six persons have been killed, while 18 others have sustained injuries at Gbiniyiri, a farming community in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, following a dispute over land ownership.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, was reportedly triggered by a disagreement over a parcel of land.

Following the incident, a number of residents, particularly women and children, have been displaced, while properties have been destroyed.

Six people arrested by the police in connection with the violence have since been granted bail.