The Mamprugu Youth Association (MAYA), based in Ghana’s Upper East Region, has appealed to His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, to direct the formation of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate the police killings of two young men arrested alongside others in Zuarungu, within the Bolgatanga East District.Addressing the media at their residence in Bolgatanga East District, Dr. Abu Tia Jambedu, a representative of MAYA, said the association strongly condemns what it describes as yet another alleged extrajudicial killing involving relatives and sympathizers of the community by officers of the Upper East Regional Police Command. He cited the leadership of Mr. Charles Simpa, the Zuarungu District Police Commander, and Regional Commander DCOP John Ferguson Dzineku.Dr. Jambedu said that on 1 May 2026, the police reported that four suspects were arrested and that two others died from gunshot injuries sustained during the operation. He stated that the family finds the police account inconsistent and misleading, alleging that it may be an attempt to cover up wrongdoing.He further explained that on the day of the arrest—Thursday, 30 April 2026—ten (10) individuals were arrested at the same residence where the press conference is being held. According to him, all were transported to Zuarungu Police Station. He said family members and eye witnesses visited the police station the night of the arrest and confirmed again the following morning that all detainees were alive, healthy, and without visible injuries. He added that out of the ten (10) arrested, four (4) detainees were granted police enquiry bail and released.Dr. Jambedu said one of the suspects, Samsudeen Mohammed, was allegedly accused of stealing a motorbike and was taken away for interrogation. He added that around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, 30 April, Seidu Safianu was also taken out of the police cell for interrogation, while the remaining four (4) suspects were held in the police cells to “assist investigations.”He alleged that later, two (2) detainees Samsudeen Mohammed and Seidu Safianu who had earlier been visited and seen by eye witnesses in good condition, were reported dead from alleged gunshot injuries. Dr. Jambedu said MAYA and the families believe the information shared in the police service’s Facebook post contained inaccuracies, and called for an independent commission of inquiry into the deaths.Dr. Jambedu also stated that the motorbikes the police alleged were stolen belonged to some of the detained suspects and to tenants of the house. He said the motorbikes have documentation and can be presented to the public as proof.Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has issued a statement claiming that a special intelligence team dismantled a robbery gang responsible for violent attacks in the Upper East Region following an intelligence-led operation on 29 April 2026. The police stated that suspects Awudu Kasim, Malik Baako, Mohammed Amidu, and Wadud Abdul were arrested at their hideout in Zuarungu, and that a search led to the recovery of a G3 rifle with 30 rounds of ammunition concealed in the storage compartment of a motorbike allegedly robbed by Samsudeen Mohammed and an accomplice known as “DJ,” who is currently at large. The police also said seven (7) other motorbikes believed to be stolen were recovered.
According to the police, during interrogation the suspects admitted involvement in several robbery attacks, including an attack on 4 February 2026 along the Zuarungu–Kongo road in which bus driver Ussif Abdul Razak sustained gunshot injuries and lost three fingers, and an attack on cargo truck driver Mohammed Ibrahim on the same stretch.
The police also stated that the suspects admitted to a robbery at the Kejetia mining site at Gbane on 28 March 2026, where miner Atani Mark was robbed of cash and gold, among other incidents.
The police further stated that two suspects—Samsudeen Mohammed and Seidu Safianu (now deceased) sustained gunshot injuries during the operation, and that their bodies were transported to the Police Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
The police said all four suspects are currently in custody assisting investigations, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other accomplices, including “DJ.”
The Ghana Police Service assured the public that anyone at large will be arrested to face the full rigours of the law.