Five people, all men, have been confirmed dead, with six others seriously injured during an exchange of gunfire over a parcel of land at Gbenyiri, a suburb of Sawla-Tuna-Kalba, Savannah Region. The son of the chief of Kalba is reported to be among the deceased. Joy News sources at Gbenyiri and the Savannah Regional Police Command indicate that they resorted to the deadly gun battle after a failed attempt to resolve a land dispute.
The injured, according to Joy News’ sources in Tuna, were taken to a district hospital for treatment. JoyNews checks in Kalba and Gbenyiri communities revealed the incident erupted Sunday night, forcing the chief of Gbenyiri to flee his palace and seek shelter at the Kalba chief’s palace. According to a police source, when the chief of Gbenyiri was returning home the next day, his compatriot, Kalba chief, asked his son to escort the Gbenyiri chief back to his community.
They were, however, attacked and killed by one of the factions in the land dispute after an ambush. A combined team of security personnel, including the Savannah Regional Police Commander, DCOP Awowolo, has been detailed by the Savannah REGSEC to both Kalba and Gbenyiri to protect lives and properties.
There have not been any arrests yet.
Source: Isaac Nongya
