A disputed chief of Yiidana and his son have been shot dead in an attack that has heightened tensions over a protracted chieftaincy dispute in the Gushegu Municipality of the Northern Region.
The attack occurred around midnight on Thursday when three armed men reportedly stormed the chief’s residence and opened fire, according to Gushegu Municipal Chief Executive Abdul Hafiz Adam.
The two victims died at the scene.
Adam said the incident is connected to a chieftaincy disagreement that has lingered for almost four years over who has the authority to install a chief for Yiidana.
He explained that the dispute began after the Zantali-Lana sought to enskin a chief for the community, a move that was opposed by residents of neighbouring Paboni, who questioned the traditional authority’s jurisdiction.
The disagreement was later referred to the Yaa Naa’s palace in Yendi, which ruled that the Zantali-Lana had the authority to install a chief for Yiidana.
Despite that ruling, tensions between the two communities persisted, with earlier confrontations resulting in the destruction of property.
The conflict resurfaced when preparations were made for another enskinment ceremony. Although residents of Paboni reportedly attempted to prevent the installation, the ceremony proceeded after the chief linked to Paboni indicated that Yiidana was not under his jurisdiction.
Because of security concerns, the newly installed chief initially stayed outside Yiidana before his family decided to relocate him to the community.
Adam said the Municipal Security Council had advised the family to delay the move until a security assessment was completed, but the advice was ignored.
According to him, local authorities later permitted the chief to remain in Yiidana on the understanding that peace would be maintained.
That arrangement ended with Thursday night’s fatal shooting.
Security personnel have since been deployed to the community as authorities monitor the situation.
The Municipal Chief Executive said the Northern Regional Minister and the Regional Security Council were expected to visit the area to assess the security situation and determine the next course of action.
Although no further violence has been reported, fears of reprisals have forced many residents of Yiidana and nearby communities to flee.
Adam said security agencies remain on high alert amid concerns that the rival factions could engage in fresh clashes.
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