Violent clashes linked to a long-standing chieftaincy dispute have thrown Sampa, the capital of the Jaman North District, into chaos.
The latest outbreak of violence has left one woman dead, a police officer injured by gunfire, and large sections of the town’s main market reduced to ashes. Several homes have also been destroyed, forcing terrified residents to flee.
Confirming the incident to Adom News, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Jaman North, Adane George, described the situation as highly volatile, with continuous gunfire echoing across the town.
“As we speak, there is no peace in Sampa. It’s only gunshots and burning houses,” he said. “Our main market is on fire. One woman has been killed, and several homes have been set ablaze.”
The DCE explained that the violence was triggered by reports that the National House of Chiefs was preparing to gazette one of the rival claimants to the Sampa stool, reigniting tensions.
“One side heard that the National House of Chiefs would gazette one of the claimants, and that triggered the unrest,” he said.
The chieftaincy conflict, which first escalated in 2022, has been a recurring source of violence in Sampa, though the town had experienced relative calm in recent months. Ironically, the latest violence erupted just as the District Security Council (DISEC) was meeting to review the curfew.
“Today, DISEC had a meeting to review the curfew because Sampa has been calm for a while. Unfortunately, the violence broke out before we could even finish the meeting,” Mr. George noted.
He confirmed that the injured police officer is receiving treatment, while sporadic gunfire continues to terrify residents. “Many people have fled the town. Others are locked in their rooms. Reinforcements are on their way to stabilize the situation,” he said.
Security agencies have been placed on high alert, with additional personnel deployed to restore calm and prevent further escalation.
“If government does not intervene quickly, the situation could escalate even further,” the DCE warned, urging urgent national security support and logistical assistance to contain the unrest.
Source: Jagri Boaz Binyinjom
