Sandema: Funeral clash leaves four injured, army recruit loses hand

Tension is rising in parts of the Builsa North Municipality following a violent attack during a funeral gathering in Gbedema that left four young men from Bilinsa seriously injured, including one who reportedly lost a hand.

The incident occurred on the evening of Wednesday, May 6, 2026, when the victims were allegedly ambushed and attacked with cutlasses by a group of men during funeral activities in the community.

One of the victims, believed to have been preparing for recruitment into the Ghana Armed Forces, suffered the amputation of a hand during the assault. The injured persons are currently receiving treatment at the Sandema Hospital.

The shocking incident has sparked outrage within the Bilinsa community and across the wider Builsa Traditional Area, with residents calling for swift police action and justice for the victims.

According to eyewitness accounts, the violence is believed to have stemmed from a personal dispute involving one of the victims and a suspected attacker.

Sources say one of the victims had lent his motorbike to a young woman believed to be his close friend or romantic partner. The woman was reportedly previously married to one of the alleged attackers from Gbedema Kunkwaba before leaving the marriage.

While riding the motorbike in Gbedema town, the woman allegedly knocked down an elderly man, triggering a confrontation.

Eyewitnesses claim some individuals demanded that the owner of the motorbike be called to transport the injured elderly man to the hospital. However, sources allege the request was intended to lure the young man into an attack.

The alleged plan was reportedly uncovered after a bystander overheard discussions suggesting an intended assault and alerted the victims, who then refused to respond to the demand.

The refusal is said to have escalated tensions, resulting in a heated confrontation that quickly turned violent.

Witnesses say the attackers allegedly wielded cutlasses and inflicted severe injuries on the Bilinsa youth during the assault.

"What happened was terrifying. These young men came to mourn with others, but they ended up fighting for their lives,” an eyewitness recounted.

Another resident described the attack as disturbing and called for immediate intervention from security agencies.

"We cannot allow this kind of violence to continue in our communities. The police must act quickly before tensions escalate further,” the resident said.

The matter has since been reported to the Fumbisi Police, the Chief of Gbedema, the Sandema Nab, Nab Azagsuk Azantilow II, the Builsa North Municipal Chief Executive, and the Sandema Police Commander.

However, no arrests had been made as of the time of filing this report, a situation that has increased anger and anxiety among residents.

Community members are now urging security authorities to swiftly investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted to prevent further violence in the area.