Fears Of Violence In Dagbon

There are fears of possible violence in the Dagbon Traditional Area of the Northern Region. Two factions claiming the Dagbon stool are reported to be stock piling arms in readiness for a clash. Speaking to Joy News, the Member of Parliament for Tamale North, Alhaji Abubakar Sumani said there were simmering tensions between the two factions, Abudus and Andanis. According to him, members of the Andani gate claim information available to them indicates that the government is planning to use the military and the police to seize the Ya Na’s Palace from the Regent. That is to make room for the funeral rites of a late Ya Na Mahamadu, the perfornmance of whose funeral rites is a subject of controversy between the two gates. He alleged some transfers were effected by the police service to create the right atmosphere for the plans. But the Andanis, he stated said they were ready to resist any attempts by the government to aid the Abudus to violate their traditional norms. The MP for Yendi, Alhaji Alhassan Malik Yakubu, however, dismissed the allegations describing them as alarmist. There was no evidence on the ground to back the claims being, saying he had recently inspected some projects in the area and the people were living with each other in peace. The Northern Regional Police Command also says the matter has not come to its attention but added the command was taking the allegations seriously.