A violent clash over a disputed parcel of land has left five men dead and six others seriously injured at Gbenyiri, a suburb of the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District in the Savannah Region.

According to police and local sources, the gun battle erupted on Sunday night following a long-standing land dispute between two rival factions.

The injured victims were rushed to the Sawla District Hospital for treatment.

Checks in Katalba and Gbenyiri revealed that the unrest forced the chief of Gbenyiri to abandon his palace and seek refuge at the Kalba chief’s palace.

Police sources say that when the Gbenyiri chief attempted to return home the following day, the Kalba chief instructed his son to escort him.

The group, however, was ambushed by one of the rival factions, resulting in the killing of the escort and others.

A joint security team, led by DCOP Awowolo, the Savannah Regional Police Commander, has since been deployed to Kalba and Gbenyiri to maintain law and order and protect lives and property.

No arrests have been made yet as investigations continue.