Yendi: One dead, 2 picked for disrupting rites to enskin new Ya-Naa

One person has died in Yendi following sporadic shooting hours after a curfew was imposed on the area, police have confirmed to Joy News.

Two others have been also arrested with an AK 47 assault rifle for attempting to disrupt the customary and traditional rites being performed in line with the enskinment of the newly selected Yaa-Naa at the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi.

Police say they were firing of gunshots from an abandoned house into the palace.

According to Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Northern Regional Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Mohammed Yussif Tanko,the deceased who is said to be in his 30s was found dead in the compound of the said house located a few metres away from the main Gbewaa palace where some gunmen started firing from to disrupt the processes of the enskinment of the Ya-Naa elect.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Yendi Government Hospital morgue for preservation. The gunmen since their arrest have refused to disclose their identity to the police.

However, the performance of the rituals continued amidst drumming and firing of musketry under tight security at the midnight of Saturday, January 19, about 12.45a.m and the activities came to a close at about 5.30am.

Meanwhile, the police say the situations at the Gbewaa Palace and the entire Yendi municipality are being monitored.

Curfew

Meanwhile, a 5:00 pm to 7:00 am curfew has been imposed on the Yendi Township by the Minister for the Interior.

The curfew follows the selection of a new person to become the Yaa-Naa of the Dagbon Kingdom on Friday evening.

The Ministry said reports indicated that there was a likelihood of high tension because of the presence of different factions and large numbers in Yendi.

“The imposition of the curfew follows various reports gathered by security agencies indicating that there is very likely to be high tension in the township with large numbers of supporters of the various gates and factions all gathering in Yendi.”

“Government urges the chiefs, opinion leaders, youth and people of the area to exercise restraint in the face of the challenges confronting them and to use non-violent means to channel their energies into ensuring peace in the area.”

There is also a total ban on all persons in the Yendi Township and surrounding areas from carrying arms, ammunition or any offensive weapons.

“Any persons found with any arms or ammunition will be arrested and prosecuted,” the Ministry warned.

credit: myjoyonline.com