Three people have been confirmed dead, while 34 suspects have been arrested following a violent shooting incident linked to a chieftaincy dispute in Funsi in the Wa East District of the Upper West Region.
The deadly clash, which erupted on the night of May 22, 2026, has heightened tensions in the community and triggered a major security operation by the Upper West Regional Police Command.
According to police, officers responded to distress calls reporting gunfire in the Gbelonosi section of Funsi, where two persons were allegedly shot dead.
Upon arrival, police discovered the bodies of 37-year-old Fufulu Nandug and 22-year-old Yussif Samahan. During subsequent operations, officers also uncovered the body of a third victim, identified as 20-year-old Amadu Lukman.
The Upper West Regional Police Commander, Francis Yiribaare, later led a reinforcement team to the area to support investigations and restore calm amid escalating tensions over the protracted chieftaincy conflict.
Police retrieved several items believed to be connected to the violence, including a shotgun, bow and arrows, gunpowder, spent cartridges, talisman-embedded smocks, and a medallion reportedly linked to rival gates in the community.
All 34 suspects, together with the retrieved exhibits, have been transported to Wa to assist with investigations and possible prosecution.
The Police Administration has expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured the public that all persons found culpable will face the full rigours of the law.
Meanwhile, intensified patrols and additional security deployments have been instituted in Funsi as police appeal to residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.
