Bimbilla clashes death toll rises to 19

The death toll in the Bimbilla clashes in Nanumba North District of the Northern Region, has increased to nineteen.

This was confirmed after more bodies were found in the bush by the Police.

Eleven persons are on admission at the hospital due to sporadic shooting in the township involving some butchers and guards from the Regent of Nanumba.

A seven-year-old boy and seven others were confirmed dead on Saturday 11 July, 2015.

The names of five of the dead have been given as R ashak Mohammed, 18, Hamza Abass, 30, Mustapha Mubarak, 7, Sulemana Iddrisu, 40, Sulemana Damba, 57, Alhassan Baako, 18, Illiasu, 34, and Mohammed Alhassan.

According to reports, some butchers at Bimbilla in the Nanumba North District have refused to recognise Yakubu Dasana Andani as the regent of the Nanumba Traditional Area and have subsequently refused to observe a custom which demands that butchers give a portion of their slaughter to the traditional ruler.

The custom, according to reports, has not been observed for some time now because the area has been involved in a protracted chieftaincy dispute which has led to the murder of the late paramount chief Naa Dasana Abdulai Andani.

Eight suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the clashes involving butchers and have been taken to the regional capital Tamale for interrogation.