KEY POINTS
- Death toll in Gbenyiri land dispute rises to 10.
- Dozens of terrified residents flee into nearby bushes.
- Security forces struggle to restore calm in the community.
Heavy fighting has gripped Gbenyiri, a farming community in Ghana’s Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, where at least ten people have been killed and twelve others injured in renewed clashes over a protracted land dispute.
The violence, which erupted over the weekend, has persisted despite the presence of police and military personnel. On Sunday, August 24, five men were confirmed dead, with six others sustaining serious injuries during exchanges of gunfire that rattled the community.
Authorities say twelve injured victims are receiving medical treatment, but the death toll in the Gbenyiri land dispute could rise further as the clashes remain volatile.
Fear spreads as residents flee community
Eyewitnesses describe a community on edge, with terrified residents fleeing into nearby bushes or seeking refuge at the local police station. Gunshots could still be heard across parts of Gbenyiri late into Sunday, highlighting the depth of the crisis.
JoyNews correspondent Isaac Nongya reported that the once-busy community has been left virtually deserted. Families abandoned homes in haste, while security forces continue patrols in a bid to quell the fighting.
According to MyJoyOnline, The Savannah Regional Security Council has since convened an emergency meeting to deliberate on steps needed to end the violence and prevent further bloodshed. For now, the farming town remains gripped by uncertainty, with fears of retaliation still looming.
