A group of unidentified assailants carried out a brazen attack on a popular drinking spot near the CEPS Barrier in Zebilla, situated within the Bawku West district of the Upper East region. The attackers unleashed a volley of gunfire, resulting in a tragic loss of life and injuries to two individuals.
The fatal incident claimed the life of Osman Mbilla, a livestock farmer, on the evening of Monday, October 23, 2023, at approximately 8:30 PM.
Startlingly, prior to the assault, Osman had been spotted at the Bolgatanga station in Zebilla, which is located across the road from the targeted establishment. It is strongly suspected that his assailants had discreetly tracked him to the drinking spot.
An eyewitness who recounted the harrowing event to Zebs FM in Zebilla shared, “We were gathered on the pavement in front of the establishment when we were jolted by the sound of gunshots. In a state of panic, we scattered in different directions, only regrouping after roughly ten minutes when the gunfire ceased. It was during this moment of calm that we realized that someone had fallen victim to the violent act.”
The unidentified gunmen seemingly gained access to the premises from the rear end and swiftly departed through the same route, capitalizing on the nocturnal hustle and bustle of the area.
Subsequent to the mayhem, Osman was swiftly rushed to the Zebilla District Hospital, but tragically, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
In the wake of this distressing news, enraged youths from the Aramkolga community converged upon the location of the incident, aiming to set the establishment ablaze.
However, the drinking spot’s proximity to CEPS and GIS installations led the officers on duty to fire warning shots to disperse the advancing crowd, thus safeguarding property.
The situation took an even more ominous turn when, upon hearing the warning shots, some local residents fired shots in return. This exchange of gunfire created a prolonged period of intense shooting, spanning approximately 30 minutes in the vicinity of the CEPS Barrier.
The unsettling sounds of gunfire reverberated throughout the Zebilla township, causing widespread fear and panic among residents, while also disrupting the normal flow of traffic.
During this chaos, two young men, including the son of the deceased, named Rauf, sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment at the Zebilla District Hospital.
Over the weekend, there had been a surge in social media chatter, particularly on platforms like WhatsApp, suggesting the possibility of the Bawku conflict spilling over into Bazua and Zebilla. Just the previous Sunday, reports had emerged of a fierce gun battle in Bazua around 7:40 PM, although no casualties were officially documented. As of now, the motives behind the Zebilla incident remain shrouded in uncertainty.
