Tension has gripped Okorase, a town near Adeiso in the Upper West Akim District, after a violent clash left the Zongo Chief and two other residents with gunshot wounds.

The incident, which occurred around 3 p.m. on Friday after Muslim prayers, is believed to have been triggered by a long-standing land dispute. Reports suggest that armed men — suspected to be either land guards or individuals posing as national security personnel — were involved in the confrontation.

According to the Amankrado of Okorase, Nana Kwadwo Arhin III, the armed group stormed the community in search of the Zongo Chief, Sariki Aminu, claiming they were under orders to take him to the Police Headquarters in Accra. When the chief requested identification, the men allegedly failed to provide any, leading to a heated confrontation during which he was shot in the shoulder.

Two residents who attempted to assist the chief were also shot. All three victims were rushed for medical treatment, with the Zongo Chief said to be in critical condition.

Residents say the situation escalated further later in the evening when another group of armed men, again suspected to be linked to national security, invaded the town and arrested about 15 people without explanation. The development has fueled widespread fear, with many residents reportedly fleeing their homes.

Local leaders, including Nana Kwadwo Arhin III, have appealed for urgent intervention.

“The chiefs and assembly members are urging the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the President to step in immediately,” he told Adom News.

The incident has renewed concerns over the recurring cycle of violence tied to land disputes in Ghana, often involving armed groups and, in some cases, individuals posing as state security operatives.

Community leaders are calling for a full-scale independent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice and to find a lasting solution to the dispute at the heart of the conflict.