A middle-aged man, identified as Jaremian, was shot dead near his residence in Bunkpurugu on Monday evening by masked gunmen riding motorbikes. This incident occurred despite the presence of security personnel already deployed in the North East Region town. The killing took place just a day after a lone gunman opened fire in the town on Sunday, disrupting trading at Bunkpurugu's weekly market.
The violence in Bunkpurugu is rooted in a long-running chieftaincy dispute between the Jamong and Jafouk royal families over who rightfully holds the Bunkpurugu skin. Tensions sharpened after Melchizedek Musah Jamung was enskinned as chief of Bunkpurugu on 14 September 2026, even as a legal challenge over the traditional authority remained unresolved. This enskinment had already triggered deadly clashes, resulting in a woman being killed and four other people injured.
Joint police and military teams were subsequently deployed to the area to try to restore calm. However, the two attacks within 48 hours have intensified fears among residents that security forces on the ground are unable to stop the bloodshed. The ongoing violence has raised concerns that economic and social life in Bunkpurugu could be further disrupted.
The Overlord of the Mamprugu Traditional Area, Naa Bohagu Abdulai Mahami Sheriga, has filed an application at the High Court in Nalerigu seeking to have four individuals committed for contempt of court over the disputed enskinment. This move follows a 24 February 2026 ruling by the Judicial Committee of the National House of Chiefs, which recommended the removal of Alhaji Abuba Nasimong as Bunkpurugu chief.
An appeal against that ruling was filed at the Supreme Court on 26 August 2026. The legal dispute has continued to play out in the courts alongside the violence on the ground. Residents are worried about the impact of the violence on their daily lives and are calling for stronger government and security intervention to prevent additional deaths.
The Paramount Chief of Bunkpurugu, Naa Abuba Nasinmong, condemned the latest violence and urged security agencies to step up efforts to stop further escalation. He appealed to all parties to exercise restraint. However, residents have questioned why repeated attacks have continued despite the visible security deployment in the town.
It remains unclear how many security personnel are currently stationed in Bunkpurugu or what additional measures, if any, are being considered following Monday's killing. The incident has highlighted the need for a more effective security strategy to address the root causes of the violence and ensure the safety of residents in Bunkpurugu.
Key points
- The killing of Jaremian is the second attack in two days in Bunkpurugu, despite security personnel already stationed in the town.
- The violence is rooted in a long-running chieftaincy dispute between the Jamong and Jafouk royal families over who rightfully holds the Bunkpurugu skin.
- Residents are calling for stronger government and security intervention to prevent additional deaths and restore calm in the town.
