At least 10 people have sustained gunshot and other injuries, with two reported to be in critical condition, after armed assailants stormed the Ho Central Mosque in the Volta Region on Friday, December 26.
According to preliminary information, about five masked men reportedly opened fire at the mosque, triggering panic and chaos among worshippers. While the exact motive for the attack has not been officially confirmed, the incident is widely believed to be connected to a protracted Imamship dispute within the mosque.
In the immediate aftermath, police moved swiftly to the scene and have arrested some suspected individuals in connection with the attack. The military has also been deployed to Ho to reinforce security, restore calm, and prevent any further escalation.
Several victims who sustained gunshot wounds recounted their ordeal to Citi News, describing scenes of fear as the sporadic gunfire rang out and people scrambled for safety.
Reacting to the incident, Mohammed Kidzah, a Youth Leader at the mosque, called for urgent intervention to resolve the underlying issues. He warned that failure to address the long-running dispute could lead to further violence and instability.
”The incident occurred just seconds after the Regional Chief Imam had left the area. The person who directed the shooting urged the attackers on, telling them that the Chief Imam was the target and must be shot. Acting on his instructions, they opened fire. When the Imam ran into a house, the attackers shot his son in the leg,” he recounted.
