Ya Naa Funeral Postponed Indefinitely After Renewed Clashes

Security personnel in Yendi

A violent showdown between two royal gates, Abudus and Andanis over the last couple of days in Yendi, in the Northern region has led to the indefinite postponement of the funeral of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani.

Authorities after assessing the situation on the grounds have been compelled to take this critical action.

The funeral commenced in line with the roadmap agreed upon by the two royal gates – Abudu and Andani. But per the development, the programme has been disrupted.

The roadmap suffered its worst hiccup yesterday when the Yendi town was turned into a battlefront through the indiscriminate firing of gunshots.

In the midst of the melee, there were rumours on social media about the clashes, with some claiming that two soldiers suffered gunshot wounds.

The indefinite postponement originated from a meeting of the Northern Regional Security Council (RESEC) to brood over the threat posed by the clashes.

The number of casualties so far is not known as such information has not been announced by the security agencies.

One of the attacks reportedly took place in a mosque when members of one of the royal gates went in to pray, according to eyewitness accounts.

A forced eviction of the Bolin Lana from one of the houses used for the enskinment rituals was one of the issues which bedevilled the process.

When this report was being compiled, the outcome of the Regional Security Council meeting was being awaited, because the decision thereof would determine whether or not the rituals for the funeral and subsequent enskinment would go ahead.

On Thursday, the chief of Sagnarigu and his entourage, who were attending the scheduled funeral of the late Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II, were suddenly attacked around 5:30pm with stones amid gunshots.

In the process, one Ali Zabanga, 33, was shot dead in a house belonging to the Abudus. He left behind two wives and three children.

While driving towards the Gbewaa Palace, the youth of Yendi hurled stones at them, smashing windscreens of the vehicles.

Reports also indicated that the windscreens of vehicles entering and leaving Yendi were smashed at Zohe on the outskirts of Yendi along the Tamale-Yendi road.

The windscreen of Police Navara pickup with registration No GP 3840 was damaged with stones as well.

Information gathered by DAILY GUIDE indicated that a house known as Duayili at the old palace junction, and others belonging to the Mba Dugu of the Kampakuya-Na, grandmother of the Bolin Lana and the family of the Bolin Lana's secretary had been burnt down.

Two others, Iddrisu Abdulai, 50, of Abudu Royal Gate and Abdallah Somed, 46, were shot in the hip and upper part of the thigh respectively.

They are currently receiving treatment at the emergency ward of the Yendi Government Hospital.

Reports said the neck of Abdulai Issah, 26, of the Andani faction, was also slashed while riding on his motorbike.

Secretary to the Abudu Family, Iddrisu Alhassan, who confirmed the shooting to DAILY GUIDE, said four of their members, who were shot, were rushed to the Yendi Government Hospital and are currently receiving treatment.

According to him, the police have been notified for the appropriate action to be taken.

Military and police personnel have since been beefed up in Yendi for the funeral of the late overlord.

Elders of the Andani Family and the kingmakers comprising Kuga Naa, Tuguri Nam, Gomle and Kpati Naa, are expected to select a new Yaa Naa on the night of Friday, 19^th January, 2019.

So far, calm has returned to the area for the funeral to proceed.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Dagbon Forum has condemned the recent violent clashes between the Abudus and Andanis.

The Dagbon Forum, led by its national president, Dr. Sulemana Abudulai, has appealed to traditional rulers on both sides of the Gbewaa Family, to firmly adhere to the roadmap to peace brokered by the Committee of Eminent Chiefs.

“We believe that the roadmap provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring about lasting peace, stability and development in Dagbon, and for ordinary citizens of Ghana living in this part of the country to live fuller lives than they have done over the last 40 years.

“The people, who have paid and continue to pay dearly for this state of affairs, are the ordinary people of Dagbon, women and children, whohave lost opportunities for proper development and growth,” according to the Dagbon Forum.

---Daily Guide