Bimbilla: The Nanumba Traditional Council has condemned the tragic death of a female student of Bimbilla Senior High School during this year’s Fire Festival celebrations at Bimbilla in the Nanumba North Municipality of the Northern Region. The tragic incident happened on July 5, 2025.

According to Ghana News Agency, the Council confirmed in a press statement that the student died after being struck by a stray bullet believed to have been discharged from an unauthorised firearm during the festivities. The statement remarked that this was the first time in the long history of the cultural event that such a loss had occurred, leaving the entire Nanung traditional area in mourning.

The Council extended condolences to the bereaved family, describing the incident as a profound tragedy that resonates with the community. Prior to the celebration, the Council had issued warnings explicitly banning the use of unauthorised firearms and other dangerous weapons to protect public safety and uphold the sanctity of the festival.

The statement emphasized that the use of unauthorized weapons during the cultural celebration was a perilous deviation from tradition. It further described the act as a criminal offence, urging security agencies to expedite investigations and ensure accountability for those responsible.

The Council expressed commitment to collaborating closely with law enforcement to prevent future incidents, emphasizing that their culture should unite and uplift, not result in the loss of innocent lives.