Upper West Police Bust Murder Ring: Two Suspects Linked to 15 Brutal Killings Since 2021
Wa, Ghana – The Upper West Regional Police Command announced a major breakthrough on October 8, 2025, with the arrest of two suspects believed responsible for 15 gruesome murders in the region between 2021 and 2022, including the recent killing of watchman Issah Yahaya on September 21, 2025.
Sherif Abdulai, 30, an ex-convict cobbler known by aliases Saani, Mohammed, and Critos, and Mahamuda Lamin, 25, were apprehended on October 3 and 6, 2025, respectively, following intensive intelligence work led by a team from the Inspector-General of Police’s office. The suspects allegedly targeted vulnerable watchmen and mentally challenged individuals, strangling or bludgeoning them with blocks before burying bodies in bushes.
Yahaya, 55, was discovered dead in a motor mechanic shop at Wa-Dobile near the New Market, with a bloodied cement block and knife at the scene. An autopsy confirmed severe head trauma as the cause of death. A search of Abdulai’s hideout in an isolated metal container near Wa’s Airstrip yielded a Villaon keypad phone, X-Base solar radio, cutlass, bicycle, and pickaxe handle—all identified as Yahaya’s property. Both suspects confessed during interrogation, with investigations ongoing to uncover accomplices.
Regional Police Commander ACP Francis Yiribare praised the collaborative effort: “The police are still investigating to establish whether or not there are other persons involved.” Inspector-General Christian Tetteh Yohuno dispatched the special team after reviewing case patterns, and community members in Dondoli assisted in Abdulai’s capture.
The arrests bring relief to communities terrorized by the killings, which often occurred at night targeting isolated workers. Yiribare commended public cooperation and urged tips on criminal activities, reaffirming the police’s resolve to ensure justice.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in Ghana’s northern regions, where violent crimes persist amid resource strains, echoing recent arrests in galamsey-related violence. The suspects remain in custody as probes continue.
