A man has been shot dead by unidentified masked gunmen riding motorbikes in Bunkpurugu in the North East Region, despite a heavy presence of security personnel in the area.
According to MyJoyOnline, the shooting happened on Monday evening, 2 November 2026. The victim, identified only as Jaremian, a middle-aged man, was reportedly shot near his residence.
The killing followed renewed tension on Sunday, 1 November, when a lone gunman reportedly opened fire and disrupted activities at the town's weekly market.
Bunkpurugu has seen recurring violence linked to a long-running chieftaincy dispute between the Jamong and Jafouk royal families. The dispute intensified after the enskinment of a chief on 14 September 2026 while a legal contest over the skin was still pending.
MyJoyOnline previously reported that violence after the enskinment killed a woman and injured 4 others, and joint police and military teams have since been deployed.
The Paramount Chief of Bunkpurugu, Naa Abuba Nasinmong, told JoyNews he condemned the renewed disturbances and urged security agencies to step up efforts to prevent further escalation. Residents have questioned the effectiveness of the security deployment.
No arrest over the latest shooting has been reported, and police have not named any suspect.