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A high-powered delegation of security chiefs, led by the Inspector General Police (IGP), Mr David Asante Apeatu has visited Yendi to assure stakeholders in the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis of maximum security to perform the funeral of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II.

Other members of the delegation were Major General Obed Akwa, Chief of Defence Staff, and Major General William Azure Ayamdo, Chief of Army Staff

Members of the delegation held separate meetings with Kampakuya-Naa Yakubu Andani Abdulai, Regent of Dagbon, Bolin Lana Mahamadu Abdulai, Regent of Mahamadu Abdulai (IV), and Kuga-Naa, a member of the Kingmakers of Dagbon.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mr Mohammed Yusif Tanko, Public Relations Officer of the Northern Region Police Command, who briefed journalists at Yendi on behalf of the IGP after the delegation’s meetings with stakeholders of the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis on Saturday, said security has been reinforced in the Yendi Township.

DSP Yusif Tanko said the IGP and his delegation assured that security personnel on the ground would be increased to ensure the necessary protection and a secure environment for the performance of the funeral.

He said “the chiefs have agreed with them (delegation) and have also agreed to go ahead with the funeral,” adding “We are going to do everything possible to ensure that the necessary protection is given to the Elders of the Andani Royal Family to be able to have the funeral done.”

He said “We are going to increase our numbers at the barriers and we are going to search the vehicles as they come in and go out, and we are also going to search suspicious persons so that they do not come in with arms to cause trouble.”

The Andani Royal Family began the funeral of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II on Friday (January 11) but called it off following violent clashes in the afternoon of that day at Yendi, which left 22 persons including a military officer sustaining varying degrees of injury.

The injured were sent to the Yendi Government Hospital for treatment.

On Thursday evening, January 10, when Sagnari Naa Yakubu Abdulai, Paramount Chief of Sagnarigu Traditional Area, and his entourage arrived at Yendi and whiles driving towards the Gbewaa Palace, a section of the youth of Yendi hurled stones at them smashing windscreens of vehicles resulting in violent clashes leaving one dead and four others injured.

The Andani Royal Family held a press conference in Tamale on Saturday demanding the relocation of Bolin Lana Mahamadu Abdulai from Mba Dugu’s Palace as the palace was needed for the performance of the funeral; the beefing up of security at Yendi to avoid violence during the performance of the funeral; and the resignation of the Regional Minister.

On Saturday, a statement was issued on behalf of the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Chairman of the Committee of Eminent Chiefs mediating the Dagbon chieftaincy crisis, said the funeral of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II would continue in accordance with the road map for peace in Dagbon.

The statement said “On Sunday, 13th January 2019, all customary processes will continue to pave way for the performance of the funeral by the elders of the Andani Royal Family.”

The performance of the funeral of Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II is expected to end on January 19, following which a substantive Yaa Naa will be enskinned to rule over the Dagbon Kingdom.