On Tuesday morning show, Spear FM presented a story regarding a conflict between Brifors and Fulanis where about 5 persons were killed.
The recent conflict came about after a bush robbery in one of the surrounding suburbs turned deadly when an alleged Brifors victim resisted an attack from alleged Fulani robbers and was killed. The killing subsequently sparked reprisal attacks from the deceased’s kinsmen, fuelling the broader violence that has since claimed more lives and spread to neighbouring communities.
The incident first broke on Thursday, March 5.
The Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Chief Executive, Hon Sinkina Saaka, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that police have returned to the bush in search of additional bodies following reports that more corpses may be there.
“Yes, the police have gone back to the bush because we heard that there are corpses there. Despite what we already have in place in terms of security, we’ve beefed up with reinforcements to enable us to contain the situation,” the DCE said.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Inspector General of Police has deployed a special team to Gbeniyiri. According to a press release issued by the Savannah Regional Police Headquarters, the team comprises Intelligence Officers and Investigators tasked with supporting the Regional Command, intensifying security, and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The Savannah Regional Command assured the public that calm has since been restored, and that efforts are ongoing to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
However, the security response has not been without controversy. Following the incident, the Savannah Regional Minister and the Police Commander visited the Kalba chief, Kalbawura Amalia, where Kalbawura raised some concerns about security handling of the situation.
Speaking visibly agitated during the visit to his palace, Kalbawura Amalia accused the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba police of partiality in handling the conflict. He pointed out that during an earlier Gonja-Brifor conflict, police were quick to confiscate guns belonging to Gonja warriors yet despite the current attacks on innocent Fulanis by Brifors, not a single arrest has been made.
The chief threatened that should he get the opportunity to meet the Inspector General of Police, he would demand the transfer of the Police Commander. He stressed that the police are supposed to be neutral in such matters.
Kalbawura also turned his anger toward the Member of Parliament for Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Hon. Chiwetey Dari Andrews, accusing the MP of emboldening the Brifors and warning that he would address the matter directly if they ever met.
(Cue Audio of Kalbawura Amalia)
The violence, which began as an isolated shooting incident, has rapidly escalated into a broader communal crisis putting the security and unity of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District under severe strain.
