The 2008 parliamentary candidate for the People’s National Convention (PNC) in the Nalerigu-Gambaga constituency of the Northern Region, Moses Alando Banaba, was shot and killed in the early hours of Friday by one Salifu Zongo Naaba in what is seen as a spillover of the Bawku conflict to the Northern region.

Sources say the victim was on his way to work when he was slain by his assailant.

The shooting incident, according to security sources, is believed to be a replication of killings in Bawku, following a long standing tribal conflict between the Mamprusis and Kusasis over chieftaincy succession.

The suspect, a Mamprusi, according to DAILY GUIDE sources is believed to be a brother to one of the deceased who was allegedly shot and killed by the military in Bawku last month in a heated gun battle.

Mr. Alando, a Kusasi and a pharmacist with the Baptist Medical Centre (BMC) in Nalerigu, it was gathered, became a target in view of the fact that he belonged to the opposing divide. He was thus shot at close range in the chest in the early hours of Friday, leading to his untimely death.

Attempts by police personnel in Nalerigu to arrest the suspect proved futile as residents at the scene of the crime shielded him.

The Northern Regional Police Commander, ACP Awuni Angwubutoge, at the time of going to the press had dispatched a reinforcement team to Nalerigu to ensure that the suspect was arrested and put in police custody for onward prosecution.

He expressed worry that the prolonged ethnic conflict in Bawku was beginning to have a rippling effect in the Northern Region, warning that he was going to nib such incidences in the bud.

Meanwhile, the entire East Mamprusi district has been thrown into a state of shock and grief following the death of the ace pharmacist who has served the district, partly as a teacher in Nalerigu Senior High School, over decades.

News of his death saw many friends and sympathizers throng to his house to mourn with the bereaved family and express their condolences.

Source: Daily Guide

Tags: bawku, crisis, mp, violence