Curfew imposed on Bole following Chieftaincy clashes

A dusk to dawn (6pm to 6am) curfew has been imposed on Bole in the Savannah region following a chieftaincy dispute sparked during Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers Wednesday.

Two houses were burnt and another vandalised including a vehicle during the melee, according to the police in Bole

Security has been beefed up in the area following the clashes after one of the rival chiefs Alhaji Abukari Abusuapinin return to Bole on Tuesday. The police managed to rescue him to his place at Damongo, where he has been since 2018.

A combined team of police and military has brought the situation under control.

“The situation has been brought under control while police and military prepare to enforce the curfew,” a statement issued by the Police Wednesday said.

The Police have meanwhile asked the people of Bole are to eschew violence and allow peace to reign in the area.

“The security agencies will pursue and arrest any person or group who tries to take the law into their hands,” the statement added.

Earlier in the day, the Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers was called off due to the violence. The disturbances marred the Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers in Bole in the Savannah Region Wednesday.

When the prayers were about to commence, gunshots were heard close to the grounds causing fear and panic as the feuding chieftaincy factions clashed.

Background

Early this year, a misunderstanding between the feuding chiefs of Bole led to the death of one person and several others injured.

That incident was said to have forced Abudu Abubakar, who was allegedly enskined by the Yagbonwura, to relocate to Damongo.

His rival, Abdulai issahaku Kant, who is the favourite of the people, was declared by the Northern Regional House of Chiefs and a High Court as the rightful owner to the skin.

Abdulai Issahaku Kant was subsequently enskined as Bolewura.