One person has been confirmed dead and three police officers injured following violent clashes in Sampa linked to the protracted chieftaincy dispute in the area.

The disturbances erupted at about 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday when supporters of Nana Sammor Duah II, a faction in the dispute, allegedly launched an armed attack on family members of Nana Samgba Gyafla II.

The violence reportedly broke out after news circulated that the National House of Chiefs was gazetting Nana Samgba Gyafla II as the legitimate Paramount Chief of the Sampa Traditional Area — a decision strongly opposed by his rivals.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, armed with short guns, fired indiscriminately and torched parts of the Sampa market.

The residence of Nana Samgba Gyafla II also came under heavy gunfire, during which 65-year-old Racheal Abena Anima was struck and killed instantly.

The mob further set ablaze the home of Abu Mahama, head of the Gyafla family.

A police team led by ASP Stanley Baku, District Commander, and ASP Solomon Okyere, FPU Commander, responded swiftly but came under heavy fire.

Three officers — Constable Boakye Theophilus (Banda Ahenkro FPU), Constable Danso Asare (Banda Ahenkro FPU), and Constable Osei Emmanuel (Sunyani OPS) — sustained minor gunshot wounds.

They were treated at Sampa Hospital and later discharged.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

Police say calm has since been restored, with intensified patrols and reinforcement teams deployed under the supervision of the Bono Regional Commander and the Regional Crime Officer.

Authorities have assured residents that continuous monitoring will be maintained to prevent further escalation.

Investigations are ongoing.