Death toll in Bimbilla clashes rises to 8

The death toll in the Bimbilla shooting has risen to eight, according to the police. But residents fear there could be more bodies yet to be discovered.

Northern Regional Police PRO, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh, two bodies were recovered from the bush Friday morning.

Residents are still searching for their missing relatives.

The police have meanwhile stepped up security in Bimbilla to ensure that absolute calm returns to the Northern regional town.

There was sporadic shooting in Bimbilla yesterday after some butchers allegedly refused to perform some traditional rites.

Sensing a possible bloody clash, the Regent of Nanum (Bimbilla), Nyeligolilana Yakubu Dawuni area warned a faction against going to the abattoir but his warning was ignored, the police said, resulting in the fatal encounter.

Joy News has learnt that the recently outdoored police anti-terrorism division has arrived in Bimbilla from Accra to reinforce security in the area.

Some people suspected to be behind the clashes, including the registrar of Nanumba Traditional Council, have been arrested and are being processed for court.

They would be charged with conspiracy to "commit crime and murder, and committing murder", ASP Ebenezer Tetteh said.

Residents are living in fear of reprisal after fresh shootings were heard this morning.

Some of them told JoyNews that schools and the market square there have been abandoned with many natives and residents fleeing the town.

A teacher in Bimbilla who identified himself as Saibu, said he went to school this morning but had to return home because there was nobody there and all schools have been closed down.