A joint security personnel have been deployed to the Mion District of the Northern region over the death of two residents believed to have aided in sparking violence in the area.
The death of the two young men follows the exchange of gunshots early yesterday evening between the Konkomba ethnic tribe in Zogbei, a farming community in Mion and some men from the Mion chief palace.
The regent of the Mion traditional area, Naa Alhassani Tipariga Mahamadu allocated a land to a Non-governmental Organization for a developmental project in the Zogbei community, unfortunately, armed Konkomba youth in the area confronted workers who were clearing the land for the intended purpose with sporadic gunshots.
As customs of Dagbon demand in effecting the decision of chiefs, a number of young people in Mion township upon learning of the resistance by the Konkomba youth responded in equal measure in Zogbei community leading to the death of two and several others sustaining casualties.
At the time of the report today Wednesday, the Northern Regional Security Council led by the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Alhassan Shanni Shaibu were in the area engaging the regent and traditional ruler of Mion and some elders of the Konkomba ethnic group.
An elder in the Zogbei community, Simon Adam expressed worried over the action of the Konkomba youth, stating that, the Konkomba youth have been misinformed about the area land issue.
“I am a Konkomba by tribe and a settler just like all the Konkombas in this community, few among us the elders are polluting the minds of some of our youth into believing that we own this community and other areas. The chief of Mion is the owner and custodian of this traditional area and he decides what is best for the land. Their action will drive away investors from coming here,” he told Journalist Nurudeen Ibrahim on the condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, settlers in the Zogbei community especially children and women fled the area over fear of further violence and punishment by the regent of Mion.