Nkwanta South Attack: Three Dead, Nine Injured as Curfew Imposed on Odomi Community

Three people have been confirmed dead and nine others are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds following a violent attack by unidentified gunmen in the Odomi community within the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region. The incident, which occurred on Thursday evening, has triggered a swift security response, including the imposition of a dawn-to-dusk curfew across eight communities in the municipality. The violence has caused widespread panic among residents, many of whom have expressed fear over the recurring nature of such armed assaults in the area.

According to reports from local authorities and medical staff at the Nkwanta St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, two of the victims were found dead on arrival after being assaulted on their farms, while a third individual succumbed to their injuries while undergoing emergency treatment. The nine survivors remain under medical care with various degrees of gunshot injuries. While the police are currently investigating the identities and motives of the attackers, no arrests have been made as the assailants managed to flee the scene before the arrival of security personnel.

This latest wave of violence is linked to a long-standing ethnic conflict involving the Adele, Akyode, and Challa communities, who have been embroiled in land disputes for several years. The timing of the attack is particularly significant, as it follows the recent establishment of a committee by the Oti Regional House of Chiefs intended to resolve the protracted unrest in the municipality. Although the committee was meant to facilitate peace talks, it had not yet been formally inaugurated when this latest shooting occurred, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region.

In a direct response to the killings, the National Security Council has imposed a strict curfew from 5:00 PM to 6:00 AM across the affected communities to maintain order. Security forces, bolstered by military personnel, have increased their presence and intensified patrols in Odomi and its environs. Regional authorities are calling for calm and urging community members to cooperate with security agencies to identify those responsible for the attack, as efforts continue to bring a lasting peace to the Nkwanta South Municipality.