In the tranquil community of Salugu, nestled within the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region, a sudden calamity has left its mark. The residents, primarily women and children, now stand amidst the ashes of their homes, their lives irrevocably altered by a ruthless attack. On the fateful day of December 26, 2023, a group of unidentified assailants, reportedly riding motorcycles, descended upon this peaceful farming village. Their mission was one of destruction: in a matter of hours, fifty houses were set ablaze, along with the villagers’ food supplies and personal effects.
In the wake of the devastation, the victims are left grappling with the loss of their belongings and the absence of basic necessities such as food and shelter. Their cries for help echo through the charred remains of their community as they implore the government for immediate assistance and justice. The urgency of their plea is underscored by the fact that this isn’t the first instance of such violence they have endured.
Despite a visit from the North Gonja District police, the perpetrators of the attack remain at large, with no arrests made. The aftermath of the attack is heartbreaking: sixty-two children, thirty adult women, and twenty men now face an uncertain future, having lost everything they owned, including their harvest from the 2022–2023 farming season.
According to a report by My Joy Online, women were seen sifting through the ruins, trying to salvage what little remained. Among them was 66-year-old widow Karimatu Alhassan, who lamented her plight: “What pains me the most is that I have no husband or son around. The little that I harvested at home would have lasted me through the dry season, but now everything is gone. It’s a big problem for me because how do I feed?” she said, tears streaming down her face.
Kasim Adam, another victim, recounted the horror of losing his possessions, including his flat-screen television, bed, mattress, clothes, and other valuables. He claimed to recognize some of the attackers and alleged that when he tried to intervene, two policemen pushed him away and fired warning shots.
Investigations by Myjoyonline uncovered that the root cause of the Salugu and Daboya community attacks was a dispute between a farmer, Alhassan Abu, and a herdsman. The disagreement escalated when Abu demanded compensation for damage caused by the herdsman’s cattle. When the herdsman refused to pay, Abu seized one of the cows, leading to police intervention and the animal being taken into custody in Daboya.
The story of Salugu is a poignant reminder of the fragility of peace and the devastating impact of unresolved disputes. As the villagers pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, their hope for aid and justice remains a beacon in the darkness, a call for action that cannot be ignored.
