The death toll in the Bimbilla shooting in the Northern region has risen to 12, according to the police as more bodies are discovered.

From four when the news broke on Thursday to eight Friday morning, the Northern Regional Police PRO, ASP Ebenezer Tetteh confirmed the increase. He said more bodies were found in the bush.

Bimbilla is now a ghost town, according to reports with frightened residents fleeing to the regional capital Tamale. Others are heading down south.

Residents are living in fear of reprisal after fresh shootings were heard Friday morning.

Some of them told Joy News that schools and the market square there have been abandoned with many natives and residents fleeing the town.

A teacher in Bimbilla who identified himself as Saibu, said he went to school this morning but had to return home because there was nobody there and all schools have been closed down.

Residents are still searching for their missing relatives.

The police have meanwhile stepped up security in Bimbilla to ensure that absolute calm returns to the Northern regional town.

There was sporadic shooting in Bimbilla yesterday after some butchers allegedly refused to perform some traditional rites.

Sensing a possible bloody clash, the Regent of Nanum (Bimbilla), Nyeligolilana Yakubu Dawuni area warned a faction against going to the abattoir but his warning was ignored, the police said, resulting in the fatal encounter.  

Joy News has learnt that the recently outdoored police anti-terrorism division has arrived in Bimbilla from Accra to reinforce security in the area.

Some eight people suspected to be behind the clashes, including the registrar of Nanumba Traditional Council, have been arrested and are being processed for court.

They would be charged with conspiracy to "commit crime and murder, and committing murder", ASP Ebenezer Tetteh said.