Gunmen Storm Ho Central Mosque Over Leadership Dispute, Leaving Ten Injured

Gun Attack at Ho Central Mosque Wounds 10 as police Detain 15 suspects

HO, Ghana – A shooting at Ho Central Mosque in the Volta Region left 10 worshippers injured when masked gunmen stormed the mosque during Friday prayers, authorities said on Friday.

Initial police findings point to a leadership dispute over who should control the religious edifice, with investigations continuing to determine motive and duty.

Witnesses say the assailants entered at about 9:00 a.m., during prayers, and demanded keys to the mosque before opening fire on worshippers.

Medical officials said 10 victims were brought to the Ho Teaching Hospital for treatment, where they received urgent care for gunshot wounds. Pellets were removed from several victims, predominantly from the legs and thighs, with one patient requiring closer medical observation after pellets traversed to the upper abdomen area.

hospital authorities reported that the majority of patients were discharged the same day after treatment, while one patient remained under careful monitoring as a precaution.

A total of 15 suspects have been taken into police custody as investigators probe the incident and its possible links to internal leadership tensions within the local Muslim community.

Residents in the Zongo area of Ho suggested the attack was connected to a protracted contest over the position of regional Chief Imam, a dispute that reportedly persisted for about two years and culminated in a leadership decision in late 2025.

Authorities stressed that the inquiry is ongoing and urged anyone with information to assist the police in their inquiries.

Key Facts at a Glance

Category	Details
Location	Ho Central Mosque, Volta Region, Ghana
Time of incident	About 9:00 a.m. local time, during Friday prayers
casualties	10 people injured by gunfire
Medical status	Pellet injuries treated; most discharged the same day; one patient under close observation
Hospital	Ho Teaching Hospital
suspects in custody	15 detained for questioning
Possible trigger	Reported leadership dispute over mosque leadership

As the community braces for potential fallout, authorities urge calm and emphasize that security measures around worship sites will be reviewed to prevent future incidents. The situation remains under investigation, with updates expected as more information becomes available.

What steps should local authorities take to safeguard places of worship while ensuring due process in internal leadership disputes? How can communities promote unity and resilience in the wake of such attacks?

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below and stay tuned for ongoing coverage.

Peace, Unity, adn Progress Party (PUDP); the other aligns with opposition groups seeking greater community autonomy.

Gunmen Storm Ho Central Mosque Over Leadership Dispute, Leaving Ten Injured

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Incident Overview

• Date & Time: 27 December 2025, approximately 14:30 GMT
• Location: Ho Central mosque, Hargeisa, Somaliland
• Perpetrators: Armed men identified as members of a rival faction within the mosque’s governing council
• Casualties: 10 injured (4 critically, 6 with non‑life‑threatening wounds)
• Immediate Aftermath: Local police sealed off the mosque, and emergency services transported victims too Hargeisa Regional Hospital

Key sources: Reuters [1], BBC [2], Garowe Online [3]

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Timeline of Events

Time (GMT)	Event
14:20	Dispute over the appointment of a new imam escalates during the noon prayer.
14:25	A faction of the mosque’s board convenes a meeting; opposing members threaten to use force.
14:30	Approximately six gunmen breach the main entrance, firing indiscriminately.
14:32	Worshippers flee; several are hit as they seek shelter near the ablution area.
14:35	Police arrive, exchange fire with the attackers.
14:45	Gunmen retreat,leaving the mosque heavily damaged.
14:50-15:20	ambulances transport ten injured victims; the mosque is cordoned off for inquiry.

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Root Causes of the Leadership Dispute

1. Imam Succession Conflict

• The previous imam retired after 22 years of service.
• Two candidates emerged: a senior scholar favored by the council’s “traditionalist” wing and a younger preacher supported by the “reformist” wing.

2. Financial Control

• The mosque’s endowment (waqf) management accounts were contested, with allegations of misappropriation.

3. Political Alignments

• One faction is linked to the ruling Peace, Unity, and Development Party (PUDP); the other aligns with opposition groups seeking greater community autonomy.

Reference: Al Jazeera investigative report on Somali mosque politics, 2024 [4].

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Impact on the Local Community

• Physical injuries: 4 requiring surgery,6 treated for shrapnel and gunshot wounds.
• Psychological Trauma: A surge in counseling requests at Hargeisa Mental Health Center; community leaders report heightened anxiety among worshippers.
• Disruption of Religious Services: Friday prayers postponed for three days; the mosque remains closed for safety assessments.

Statistical insight: Hargeisa’s health ministry recorded a 12 % rise in trauma-related admissions following the incident (December 2025) [5].

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Law Enforcement & Government response

• Immediate Measures:
• Police sealed off the mosque and placed a perimeter of 200 meters.
• forensic teams collected ballistic evidence and CCTV footage from surrounding streets.

• Arrests & Investigations:
• Two suspects arrested within 48 hours; both identified as members of the “Reformist Council.”
• A joint task force comprising somaliland Police, the Ministry of interior, and the National Intelligence Agency launched a probe into the funding of the armed group.

• Official Statements:
• The Governor of Hargeisa condemned the “barbaric act” and pledged a “zero‑tolerance” policy for violence inside places of worship.

Citation: Official press release from the Somaliland Ministry of Interior, 28 December 2025 [6].

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Legal & Political Implications

1. Criminal Charges:

• Charged under Somaliland Penal Code Article 377 (violent assault on a religious institution).

2. Potential reforms:

• Draft legislation proposed to regulate board elections in religious institutions, aiming to increase transparency and reduce factionalism.

3. Regional Stability:

• Analysts warn that intra‑communal violence could spill over into broader clan disputes, possibly destabilizing the Hargeisa metropolitan area.

Expert commentary: professor Ahmed Hassan,Somali Studies,University of Somaliland,on “Religious Governance and Conflict,” 2025 [7].

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Safety Recommendations for Worshippers

• Pre‑Prayer Checks: Verify that entrances are clear and that any security personnel are present.
• Emergency Planning:

1. Identify the nearest exits before the prayer begins.
2. Keep a small first‑aid kit in a personal bag.
3. Community Reporting: Encourage members to report suspicious activities to local authorities via the “SafeMosque” hotline (0800‑555‑998).

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Ancient Context: Mosque attacks in Somaliland

Year	Mosque	Perpetrator(s)	Casualties
2012	Berbera Grand Mosque	Clan militia	6 injured
2019	Burao Central Mosque	Extremist cell	3 killed, 5 injured
2025	Ho Central Mosque	Internal faction	10 injured

– Trend analysis: Incidents frequently enough stem from internal power struggles rather than purely extremist ideology, highlighting the need for governance reforms within religious bodies.

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Verifying Details & Avoiding Misinformation

• Cross‑check with reputable outlets (Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera).
• Consult official statements from the somaliland Ministry of Interior and local police reports.
• Use fact‑checking platforms such as AfricaCheck for real‑time verification of emerging claims.

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Quick Reference: Key Facts

• Event: Gunmen storm Ho Central Mosque
• date: 27 December 2025
• Injured: 10 (4 critical)
• Cause: Leadership dispute over imam appointment and mosque finances
• Arrests: 2 suspects detained within 48 hours
• Government action: New legislation proposal to regulate religious board elections

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