A victim of the clash
A tense calm has been reported in Nkwanta in the Oti Region after a heavy deployment of soldiers in the wake of interethnic violence that left some people wounded and others displaced.
The violence erupted on Friday among the Adele, Challa, and Akyode ethnic groups over the performance of rites to announce this year’s annual yam festival of the Akyodes, DAILY GUIDE gathered.
The clash, which involved the use of guns, prompted some people to flee the area to neighbouring communities, while houses were burned with reported incidents of looting.
According to a report, 10 people sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the Nkwanta South Municipal Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital, all in Nkwanta township, for medical attention.
The situation was said to have calmed in the area as security forces spread in and around the community, according to reports.
Bright Lenwah, the Chairman of Nkwanta Municipal Security Council, confirmed to the media the deployment of soldiers into the community, and added that the situation had been brought under control.
He appealed to all factions in the violence to give peace a chance in order to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Mr. Lenwah urged the locals not to entangle the military since they had come there to ensure maintenance of peace and security.
The Adele and Challa ethnic groups organised a joint news conference on Saturday to protest the Akyode ethnic group’s celebration of the Kyodjible Yam Festival, claiming that the holding of the festival will amount to commotion in the area.
For decades, the three tribes have fought for the authority and control of Nkwanta township, with no end in sight.
By Ernest Kofi Adu