What was meant to be a night of culture and celebration turned tragic when two female students were shot during this year’s Fire Festival in Bimbilla.
One of the victims was confirmed dead on the spot, while the other sustained critical injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The incident, which occurred late in the evening, has sent shockwaves across the community and drawn widespread condemnation.
Eyewitnesses say the gunshots rang out amid the festival procession, causing panic among attendees.
Authorities have yet to confirm the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting, but initial reports suggest the gunfire may have come from a locally-manufactured weapon fired during the festivities — a traditional but controversial practice associated with the Fire Festival.
Police in Bimbilla say investigations have commenced, and efforts are underway to identify those responsible.
“We are working closely with festival organizers and community leaders to understand what happened. This is a deeply unfortunate event, and we urge calm as we carry out our investigations,” a police spokesperson told newsnetgh.com
The Fire Festival, known locally as “Bugum Chugu,” is celebrated annually by the Dagomba and Nanumba ethnic groups to mark a historic event involving a legendary search with torches. However, in recent years, concerns have been raised over the increasing use of firearms during the celebration.
The identity of the deceased student has been withheld pending notification of her family, while school authorities have called for swift justice and better safety measures in future festivals.
Many in Bimbilla are mourning, with social media flooded with tributes and calls for reforms to ensure such tragedies do not happen again.
“We can’t continue to lose our children in the name of tradition,” one resident lamented. “Our festivals must be safe for everyone.”
