Two police officers who were on peacekeeping duties at Atulbabisi in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region were shot by an unidentified gunman on Monday, February 11, 2019.

The police officers were on duty near the palace of one of the ‘chiefs’ in the Bolgatanga Traditional Area on Monday night when the incident happened.

In May 2015, disagreement over the enskinment of a Bolga-Naba led to clashes between the supporters of two people, who are claiming to be Paramount Chiefs of the Bolgatanga Traditional Area.

Since 2015, the supporters of the two self-proclaimed chiefs who live at Atulbabisi, occasionally clash which leads to injuries and destruction of properties.

According to the Upper East Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ampofo Duku, the police officers heard an unusual noise and decided to find out what was amiss.

When they left their post, an unknown assailant opened fire on them.

One of the police officers is currently in critical condition at an undisclosed health facility while the other has been treated and discharged.

It’s unclear if the shooting was connected to the chieftaincy dispute but the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Ampofo Duku, has refused to rule it out.

So far no arrests have been made, but the Regional Police Commander has given assurance that the police would thoroughly investigate the matter.

This is the first bloody incident at Atulbabisi this year.