The number of people killed in the recent shooting incident at Gbeniyiri and surrounding communities in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region has risen to five, with five others sustaining injuries.
The latest figures mark a significant increase from the initial report issued by the Ghana Police Service in the Savannah Region on Thursday, March 5, which indicated that two people had been killed and one person injured in Gbeniyiri Township.
Confirming the updated casualty figures, the District Chief Executive for the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, Senitina Saaka, explained that the violence has spread beyond Gbeniyiri to nearby communities, leading to additional deaths and injuries.
According to her, two of the deceased have already been buried in Sawla, while the remaining three bodies have been deposited at the morgue of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Hospital.
Five people who sustained injuries during the attacks are currently receiving treatment at the district hospital. One of the victims, who is in critical condition, has been referred to the Upper West Regional Hospital for specialised medical attention. The others, including a seven-year-old boy, are said to be in stable condition.
Ms Saaka disclosed that security personnel have since returned to the surrounding bush areas following reports that additional bodies may still be lying in the area.
She indicated that the violence may have been triggered by a recent bush robbery incident in one of the district’s suburbs. In that incident, a man was reportedly killed after resisting attackers.
The District Chief Executive noted that the killing is believed to have sparked reprisal attacks by relatives of the deceased, which then escalated into the ongoing violence affecting several communities within the district.
Meanwhile, security agencies say investigations are underway as authorities work to restore calm and prevent further escalation of the situation.