Ritual murder cited
Fresh reports trickling in from the battlefields where the people of Nkonya in the Jasikan district and Alavanyo in the Hohoe district of the Volta region have been engaging in border clashes since last Saturday indicate that the death toll is higher than earlier announced.

Chronicle investigations in the two districts have revealed that at least three people have so far perished in fresh fighting with many critically injured. According to our findings, which are at par with police sources, several clashes took place on Saturday, February 1, this year.

The first incident took place in a forest near Nkonya-Tayi, where unidentified armed men, adapting sniper tactics fired at a woman, her daughter and brother-in-law, killing the youngman instantly and severely wounding the girl.

The second clash occurred the same day at a spot between Nkonya-Tayi and Alavanyo-Kpeme, where a tipper truck loaded with sand was ambushed, Volleys of shots were fired at the truck, seriously wounding the occupants.

As if that was not enough, a third clash was recorded at a farm near Nkonya in which a man who was reportedly protecting his farm against a threatening bushfire was shot at and killed.

All these aside, fresh reports reaching Chronicle desks at Ho, say a third body was discovered early Monday morning at a village near Alavanyo; but this time with ritualistic marks on it.

According to eyewitnesses, the eyes, tongue and private parts were missing, a scenario, which sends frightening signals that the conflict had been pushed to a higher plane.

While the bodies of the dead are reportedly lying at the Margaret Marquart Hospital at Kpando, the wounded are on admission at the Hohoe Government Hospital. No arrests have been made as at reporting time.

But Chronicle learnt that the chief executives of the two districts, Hon. James K. Dogbe and Sam B. Kelele had met some chiefs and elders in the affected villages while security presence have also been beefed up in the area.

When this reporter contacted the deputy regional minister, Hon. Kofi Dzamesi, on phone, he confirmed receiving reports of the third body had been discovered but added that calm had returned to the area.

Hon Dzamesi disclosed that last year alone the region recorded eight conflicts of various magnitudes; costing large sums yet to be quantified.

This year alone the Peki-Avelili and Tsito Awudome clash alone claimed four lives and caused several injuries, while war drums are still beating in the Dofor traditional area over Juapong.