Renewed violence in Bawku, a town in Ghana’s Upper East Region, has claimed the life of one civilian and left two others critically injured.

The clashes, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, also saw the private residence of the Bawku Divisional Police Commander, ACP Adamu Seidu, set ablaze.

The unrest reportedly began when one faction involved in the longstanding chieftaincy dispute demanded that women from the opposing faction vacate the market where they were trading.

This demand led to a confrontation, prompting police intervention to restore order.

During the scuffle, some youth allegedly opened fire on the police, who responded with gunfire. The exchange resulted in the death of one civilian and injuries to two others. The incident further escalated when radical youth retaliated by attacking the police commander’s private residence and setting it on fire.

It remains unclear whether anyone was inside the house at the time of the attack. Additionally, reports indicate that a police barracks was targeted, with a police vehicle set ablaze. The situation forced the evacuation of police personnel from the barracks.

As tensions continue to rise, security agencies are working to restore calm in the area. Neither the police nor the regional security council has issued a statement regarding the incident. The prolonged chieftaincy dispute in Bawku remains a source of instability, with periodic outbreaks of violence affecting the community.