A protracted chieftaincy dispute at Tuobodom in the Techiman Municipality of the Brong-Ahafo Region has claimed seven lives after gunmen had attacked the palace of Nana Baffour Asare, chief of Tuobodom, in broad daylight.
About six others have been reported injured and are receiving treatment at the Holy Family Hospital at Techiman.
The gunmen, at about 3pm yesterday, stormed the palace of Nana Baffour, who pays allegiance to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, killing two people and injuring several others on the spot.
They also reportedly proceeded to other adjoining houses and shot at residents while they set the houses ablaze.
The gunmen, who were on a motorbike, are believed to belong to the other faction of the chieftaincy dispute whose chief, Nana Obeng Ameyaw, pays allegiance to the Techiman Omanhene, Oseadeeyo Akumfi Ameyaw IV.
Scenes from Tuobodom
The Techiman police were called to bring sanity to the area but it took reinforcement from the Sunyani Army Barracks to bring the situation under control.
Many residents, out of fear, have fled the town.
Reports indicate that the impasse between the two groups began about two years ago when the Asantehene bestowed on Nana Baffour Asare, a paramountcy status which did not go down well with the other faction.
Nana Obeng Ameyaw’s faction was said to have resisted the development, which led to the matter being sent to court.
The court ruled in favour of Nana Baffour Asare but the Techimanhene appealed against the ruling.
The appeal is still pending in court.
By Eric Bawah, Techiman
