Police in the Northern Region have launched investigations into the tragic killing of Fatima Abukari, an 18-year-old student of Bimbilla Senior High School.
She was shot during the Fire Festival celebrations in Bimbilla, Nanumba North Municipality, on Saturday, July 5.
Fatima was struck by a stray bullet while patrons of the festival were marching in a torchlit procession toward the Wampu Dam. She has since been buried in accordance with Islamic customs.
According to Chief Inspector Lukman Neindoo, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, officers visited the crime scene on the morning of July 6 to gather evidence. BB cartridges were recovered at the scene, but no arrests have been made so far.
Chief Inspector Neindoo cautioned the public against the possession and use of unlicensed firearms. He stressed that the ban on Fire Festival celebrations in certain areas was not arbitrary.
“It is not for nothing that the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, banned the celebrations in the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipality,” he stated. “No one has the right to carry an assault rifle unless it is licensed for a lawful purpose.”
Police say a press conference will be held soon to provide updates on the incident and other security issues in the region, including the recent killing of a youth group member in Tamale.
The Fire Festival had been partially banned in parts of the Northern Region due to heightened security concerns. Despite the restrictions, celebrations continued in some communities, including Bimbilla, where the tragic incident occurred.
