At least seven Muslims are battling for their lives at various hospitals in Ho, the Volta regional capital, following a shooting incident that disrupted Jummah prayers on Friday, December 26.

Eyewitnesses say the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. when a newly installed Chief Imam arrived at the Ho Central Mosque to lead the day’s prayers.

MyJoyOnline understands that the violence erupted when supporters of Alhaji Alfa Anas clashed with some armed men, who allegedly provided security for the newly installed Chief Imam to the mosque.

For more than a decade, two factions, led by Alhaji Alfa Anas and the newly installed Imam, have been locked in a dispute over who the legitimate regional chief Imam is.

Friday’s clashes add to a series of violent incidents that have occurred in recent times.

Meanwhile, heavy joint security personnel have been deployed to the mosque and surrounding the Zongo community to restore calm as of the time of filing this report.

The media has been restricted from accessing the regional hospital where most of the victims of the clash are receiving medical attention.