KEY POINTS
- Communal clashes in North East Region have displaced over 500 people.
- More than 150 homes were burned, and food supplies were lost.
- Victims call for urgent government aid to ease their suffering.
Two individuals have been killed and over 500 others have been displaced by communal confrontations in the North East Region’s Bunkprugu/Nakpanduri area, according to local officials.
Deadly clashes erupt over chieftaincy dispute in North East Region
A disagreement over the installation of rival chiefs by the Chief of Binde sparked the violence in Ngagma-Gbregu last week. Over 150 homes were burned down and over 5,000 bags of food that had been stored were destroyed during the three-day confrontations.
For those impacted, especially women and children, the situation has resulted in extreme hardship; many have gone days without proper food or shelter. While they await official action, displaced families have taken up residence with family members or in temporary shelters.
Calls for government intervention grow as tensions remain high
The government and humanitarian organizations have been urged by local authorities and residents to offer prompt aid, including food supplies and temporary lodging.
According to Myjoyonline, member of Parliament Abednago Bandim visited the impacted area, heard victims’ worries, and encouraged the government to act quickly to alleviate their suffering. He underlined the necessity of both immediate assistance and long-term strategies to stop future crises of this nature.
Tensions are still high despite the deployment of security troops to bring about peace. To address the underlying conflicts, authorities have called on community leaders to have a conversation.
Residents have been reassured by the North East Regional Coordinating Council that measures are being taken to resolve the chieftaincy conflict and handle the humanitarian catastrophe. Families that have been relocated are still having difficulty getting food, water, and other essentials.
