Three people have been confirmed dead, while 34 suspects have been arrested following a deadly shooting incident linked to a chieftaincy dispute in Funsi in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region.
The violence, which occurred on the night of May 22, 2026, has heightened tensions in the community, prompting a major security operation by the Upper West Regional Police Command to restore calm and prevent further clashes.
In a statement, the police disclosed that officers responded to distress calls reporting a shooting incident in the Gbelonosi section of Funsi, where two people had allegedly been killed.
Upon arriving at the scene, police discovered the bodies of 37-year-old Fufulu Nandug and 22-year-old Yussif Samahan. Investigators later uncovered the body of a third victim, identified as 20-year-old Amadu Lukman, during subsequent operations in the community.
The Regional Police Commander, Francis Yiribaare, led a reinforcement team to the area to support ongoing investigations and strengthen security as tensions escalated over the protracted chieftaincy conflict.
Several items believed to be linked to the disturbances were also retrieved during the operation, including a shotgun, bow and arrows, gunpowder, spent cartridges, talisman-embedded smocks, and a medallion reportedly connected to tensions between rival gates in the community.
According to the police, all suspects and the retrieved exhibits have been transported to Wa to assist with ongoing investigations and possible prosecution.
The Police Administration extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured the public that all persons found culpable in the disturbances would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Regional Police Command has appealed to residents and stakeholders in Funsi to remain calm, avoid acts of retaliation, and cooperate with security agencies by volunteering credible information to aid investigations.
Police further indicated that intensified patrols and additional security deployments have been instituted in the area to maintain peace and prevent further violence.
