Ewura Kuntala, a traditional warrior serving the Buipewura, has been killed by unidentified attackers near Old Buipe in Ghana’s Savannah Region.
Kuntala, who was known locally as “Commando”, was attacked at Iddrisu-Kura near Lito, a farming community in the Central Gonja District. Police said he sustained multiple cutlass wounds to his head, back, arms and legs.
The Central Gonja District Police Command recovered his motorbike at the scene. His body was taken to the morgue at Buipe District Government Hospital, in the traditional capital where the Buipewura’s Palace is located.
The killing has caused shock and fear in Buipe and nearby farming communities. Police investigators are working to determine the motive and identify those responsible for the attack.
No arrests had been announced by Tuesday afternoon, November 10. The national headquarters of the Ghana Police Service had also not released a separate public statement on the killing beyond the account issued by the district command.
Kuntala served under Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor II, the Paramount Chief of the Buipe Traditional Area and Vice President of the National House of Chiefs. Buipewura Jinapor II, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police, became chief of the Buipe skin in 2008.
The incident comes after the Buipe Damba Festival, during which the Buipewura called on traditional leaders, security agencies and residents across Gonjaland to settle land disputes peacefully.
He also urged authorities to enforce narcotics laws to tackle drug abuse among young people and help protect peace in the region.
Security agencies in the Central Gonja District and across the Savannah Region have carried out several major operations in recent months. These have included an intelligence-led crackdown on the gang suspected of being behind a robbery at Buipe Cattle Market.
The Savannah Regional Security Council has also ordered reinforcement deployments in the area.
