Police Speak on Death of Bimbilla Senior High School Student During 2025 Fire Festival

• Police have given a response to the death of Fatima Abukari, a student of Bimbilla Senior High School, during the fire festival
• The student was reportedly accidentally shot during a procession from the regent’s house to Wampu Dam
• The fire festival had been partially banned in parts of the Northern Region by the Overlord of Dagbon

The police in the Northern Region have started probing the death of Fatima Abukari, an 18-year-old student of Bimbilla Senior High School, during the fire festival in Bimbilla.

Abukari is believed to have been killed by a stray bullet during the festival on July 5 as residents were marching during a torchlit procession toward the Wampu Dam.

Joy News reported that police have visited the scene of the incident and retrieved some cartridge casings. No arrests have been made so far.

Chief Inspector Lukman Neindoo, the Northern Regional Police Public Relations Officer, cautioned the public against possessing and using unlicensed weapons, particularly firearms.

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“It is not for nothing that the Overlord of Dagbon, Yaa Naa Abukari II, banned the celebrations in the Tamale Metropolis and Sagnarigu Municipality.”

“No one has the right to carry an assault rifle unless it is licensed for a lawful purpose.”

He also noted that a press conference will be held to provide further updates on the incident.

Abubakari, a second-year student, was rushed to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. She is believed to have snuck out of school to attend the festival.

Abukari was buried on July 6 at the Bimbilla Cemetery with her final funeral rites set to take place on July 8.

In comments to YEN.com.gh, Mohammed Hafiz Alhassan, a PhD candidate at the University for Development Studies, noted that safety protocols need to be intensified for the festival in the future.

"The protocols that should be enforced for public safety should be doubled in the Bugum (fire festival). Enhanced safety protocols, community engagement and accountability should be implemented in various locations around the Dagban traditional council."

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Restrictions on the fire festival

The fire festival had been partially banned in parts of the Northern Region due to the safety and security risks.

For example, the Overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abukari II, has banned this year’s Fire Festival celebration in the Tamale Metropolis due to security concerns.

Celebrations continued in some communities, including Bimbilla, where the tragic incident occurred.

The fire festival is celebrated in the Northern Region to commemorate the search for a lost prince and marks the beginning of the traditional lunar year.

The festival is celebrated with torchlight processions, drumming, and dancing, symbolising the victory of light over darkness.

Previous deaths in the fire festival

During the 2024 fire festival, a Junior High School student tragically lost his life during celebrations in Wulensi.

During the event in the Nunumba South District, the student sustained a fatal head injury when handling a musket.

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The victim was reportedly firing into a gutter during the annual event.

Misfortune involving students

YEN.com.gh reported that a 17-year-old BECE candidate was stabbed and killed while attempting to separate two fighting lovers.

The violent incident occurred in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of the Ashanti Region on July 10, 2024.

That BECE had already been marred by tragedy as two candidates from Kanuwlou Basic School were involved in a road crash in the North Tongu district.

The two candidates were escorting their sister back to Volo after her visit when they were struck by a vehicle.

Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.

Source: YEN.com.gh