Reports from Yendi indicate that there have been sporadic violent exchanges between youths of the Abudu and Andani royal families of the Dagbon traditional area. In one such incident, the Abudu and Andani youth reportedly engaged in running battles for about 30 minutes.

The security forces have since intervened and ordered residents of the town to stay indoors. The violence follows yesterday’s celebration of the Muslim Eid Ul Fitr festival in the area, during which some clerics are reported to have made statements, which might have incited the youth to violence.

The long-standing dispute between the Andani and Abudu royal families of Dagbon sparked violent clashes last March in which the paramount chief was assassinated. A state of emergency currently prevails in the area but the curfew was relaxed for the celebration of the Eid Ul Fitr festival.