A heartbreaking incident occurred during the Fire Festival celebration in Aboabo, Asokore Mampong Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
According to a reports, a 14-year-old boy tragically lost his life due to a stray bullet that struck him.
Masawudu Abdul-Aziz, the victim, was present at the festive event when the unfortunate incident occurred. Amidst the enchanting display of celebrants firing muskets, dancing, and lighting fires, he was struck by a bullet.
The incident has plunged the community into a state of disbelief and sorrow, as the teenager’s life was tragically claimed during the festivities. The community is mourning the loss of the young boy who became an unfortunate casualty of the event. Additionally, there are reports of several others being injured during the incident, and they are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The deceased boy’s uncle, Muaz Abdul-Baki, recounted the moment he received the news from his wife.
According to him, he rushed to the scene to find his young nephew lying in a pool of blood. “My wife called me last night to inform me that the boy attended the ceremony and had been hit by a stray bullet, so I quickly moved there and confirmed it was true,” citinewroom.com quoted him to have said.
The Fire Festival, also known as the Bugum Festival, holds significant cultural importance among the people of Dagbon, Mamprugu, and the Nanumba ethnic groups. It is an annual celebration that marks a historical event on the Mole-Dagbon calendar.
Those who have migrated from the North and now reside in the Southern part of the country participate in the festival each year to honor their heritage and traditions.