A long-standing land dispute in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region has escalated into deadly violence, prompting a heavy security deployment to prevent further bloodshed.
The clashes, which erupted late Sunday in Gbenyiri, left at least five people dead, including the chief of Kalba, and six others critically injured. The victims, all men, were caught in a violent exchange of gunfire between two rival factions claiming ownership of the disputed land.
According to police sources, the violence was not limited to Gbenyiri. The unrest forced the chief of Gbenyiri to flee his palace, seeking refuge at the Kalba chief’s residence. Tragedy struck when, upon returning home the next day under escort by the Kalba chief’s son, the group was ambushed. Both chiefs and their escorts were attacked, leading to multiple deaths.
The injured have been rushed to a district hospital in Tuna, where they are receiving treatment.
In response, the Savannah Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has dispatched a combined team of police and military personnel, led by Regional Police Commander DCOP Awowolo, to stabilize the situation in both Kalba and Gbenyiri.
So far, no arrests have been made, but authorities say investigations are underway as the community remains tense.
The deadly confrontation underscores the volatile nature of land disputes in parts of northern Ghana, where disagreements over ownership often spiral into violence with devastating consequences.
