The Nanumba Traditional Council has condemned the tragic death of a female student from Bimbilla Senior High School during this year’s Fire Festival celebrations in the Nanumba North Municipality, Northern Region. The incident occurred on July 5, 2025, when the student was struck by a stray bullet, believed to have been fired from an unauthorised weapon during the festivities.
Table of Contents
Unprecedented Loss During Cultural Celebrations
In a press statement, the Nanumba Traditional Council expressed deep sorrow, noting that this is the first time in the history of the Fire Festival that such a heartbreaking loss has occurred. The statement highlighted the mourning across the entire Nanung traditional area and extended condolences to the family of the deceased, describing the incident as a tragedy that resonates deeply within the community.
Firm Stance Against Unauthorised Firearms
The Council emphasised that, before the festival, clear warnings were issued explicitly banning the use of unauthorised firearms and dangerous weapons to ensure public safety and maintain the integrity of the cultural celebration. “The use of unauthorised weapons during our cultural celebration is not part of our tradition. It is a perilous deviation that we, as guardians of our heritage, will not accept,” the statement read.
Call for Justice and Accountability
Describing the incident not as an accident but as a criminal offence, the Nanumba Traditional Council urged security agencies to expedite their investigations and hold those responsible accountable. “No one, no matter their status or intentions, should escape accountability,” the Council stressed. The statement also assured the public that the palace would cooperate closely with law enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future, reaffirming the commitment to protecting the sanctity of their cultural celebrations.
The Nanumba Traditional Council concluded by reiterating that their culture is a living legacy meant to unite the community and uplift its people, not to take innocent lives. The call for justice continues as the community seeks closure from this tragic event.
