Tragedy struck during this year’s Fire Festival in Bimbilla, located in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region, as a young girl identified as Fatima was fatally shot by a stray bullet.
Fatima, a second-year student of Bimbilla Senior High School, was reportedly hit by the bullet during a traditional procession moving from the Regent’s Palace to the Wampu Dam, where ceremonial fire-throwing was to take place.
According to Mohammed Abdul-Rashid Natogmah, a reporter with Beat FM who was present at the scene, the incident occurred suddenly and sent shockwaves through the celebrants.
“I was at the palace when we heard someone had been hit by a bullet. We rushed to the hospital, and the dead body was brought there. I even helped in removing the body,” Natogmah recounted.
Natogmah revealed that Fatima had reportedly sneaked out of her home with a friend to attend the festival, against her parents’ wishes. Her friend, who accompanied her to the hospital, confirmed that the two had defied instructions to stay home.
“When we asked, the girl told us Fatima was from an area called Bayawaya in Bimbilla. She said their parents didn’t want them to attend the festival, so they sneaked out,” Natogmah added.
The source of the gunshot remains unknown, and the police have yet to begin formal investigations into the incident.
The Regent of Bimbilla, Nyelimbolgu Naa Yakubu Andani II, had earlier cautioned festivalgoers to avoid any actions that could tarnish the significance of the celebration. He emphasized the cultural and spiritual importance of the event and called on the youth to participate peacefully and respectfully.
This incident marks another alarming case of stray bullet fatalities during traditional festivities in Ghana, reigniting calls for tighter control of firearms during public celebrations.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
