Two people have been shot dead and another critically injured following a renewed tribal clash at Keri, a farming community in the Nkwanta-South Municipality of the Oti Region, last Sunday.

One of the deceased has been identified as a 70-year-old farmer, popularly known as Challa Joseph, who was reportedly attacked and killed on his farm. The second victim’s identity is yet to be confirmed. Their bodies have been deposited at the Nkwanta mortuary.

The injured victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, is currently receiving treatment at a hospital.

The latest violence is linked to a long-standing chieftaincy and land dispute over ownership of the Nkwanta traditional area involving three ethnic groups — the Akyode, Challa and Adele. The protracted conflict has led to intermittent clashes over the years, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of cedis.

An eyewitness, speaking to the media on condition of anonymity, described the renewed fighting as shocking, particularly as the feuding factions had recently embarked on a peace walk to demonstrate their commitment to ending the conflict.

As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been made, although the police have launched investigations into the incident.

The area is said to be under uneasy calm, with some residents reportedly fleeing their homes for fear of further attacks.

Meanwhile, the Nkwanta-South Municipal Security Council has held an emergency meeting to deliberate on measures aimed at restoring lasting peace in the municipality.