Tamale, July 10, GNA - Commissioner of Police Ephraim Okoe Brakatu, the Northern Regional Police Commander, has told the GNA that calm was prevailing in the Kusuwgu Traditional Area following reports of tension between factions involved in a chieftaincy dispute. He said there was a joint police/military deployment in the area and that the situation was under control.

However, police sources have said two people had been arrested - one Kpankpalonso Wura Sulamama was nabbed for possessing fire arms and Issahaku Abubakari was picked up for provocative drumming. Mr. Iddrisu Abubakari Thunder, regent of Kusuwgu, addressed a press conference on Saturday in Tamale at which he appealed to the Regional Security Council to move to Kusuwgu Traditional Area to avoid any breach of peace.

Mr. Thunder said last Friday there was an announcement on Radio Savannah in Tamale that Sala Wura Sulemanna Jakpa was to be enskinned as Kusawgu Wura.

He said this was in contravention of an injunction a Tamale High Court granted, preventing the enskinment of any person until a ruling on the matter by the Northern Regional House of Chief. enskinning Yapei Wura and Yagbon Wura enskinning Kusuwgu Wura. In 2001 when Yapei Wura Briamah Soale from the Soale Gate died, the Kusawgu Wura nominated Tamape Wura Ewuntomah of the Soale Gate as the next Yapei Wura.

The Adama Gate petitioned the Yagbon Wura and the Gonja Traditional Council.

The Jakpa gate also petitioned the Gonja Traditional Council resulting in the appointment of Adam Bakar Capinter of the Jakpa Gate as Yapei Wura.

After nearly a year the Yagbon Wura revoked the appointment and re-appointed Sala Wura Sulemana Jakpa who is his brother. The Adama Gate petitioned the Regional House of Chiefs in 2004, a case which is still pending.

On Wednesday Sala Wura Sulemana Jakpa, who had been staying at Yapei, moved to Kusuwgu claiming to be enskinned as the next Kusuwgu Wura, prompting Yapei Tamape Wura Ewuntomah also moving to Kusuwgu.