The Northern Region Security Council (REGSEC) has banned the fire festival in Yendi, which falls on Sunday. No official reasons were given, but Joy News correspondent Mahama Shaibu reports of alleged machinations to spark violence during the celebration. Sources close to the security agencies claim to have gathered enough intelligence the festival could turn violent if celebrated. Seven years ago on a Sunday, whilst celebrating the Festival, the overlord of Dagbon Yana- Yakubu Andani and some of his elders were murdered following clashes between the Abudus and Andanis. The Regent of Dagbon, unaware of the ban issued a statement cautioning the feuding factions to embrace peace during the celebration and not to allow events of March, 2002 to recur. He reminded them of the circumstances that led to the tragic death of the late over lord and the striking coincidence that this year’s festival that tragic event seven years ago. His fears seemed to have been corroborated by REGSEC culminating into the ban. Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana