Police Arrest two in connection with Wa Serial Murders

The Upper West Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of two men believed to be responsible for a string of gruesome murders in the Wa Municipality since 2021.

Addressing a press conference in Wa on Wednesday, the Regional Police Commander, ACP Francis Yiribaare, said the arrests mark a “major breakthrough” in ongoing investigations into at least 15 murder cases, most of which involved night watchmen killed while on duty.

The suspects, identified as Sherif Abdulai, aged 30, and Mahamuda Lamin, 25, were apprehended on October 3 and 6, 2025, respectively, after weeks of intensive intelligence work led by a joint team from the National Police Headquarters and the Upper West Regional Command.

According to ACP Yiribaare, the latest incident that led to the breakthrough occurred on September 21, 2025, when a 55-year-old watchman, Mr. Issah Yahaya, was found dead at a motor mechanic shop near the Wa Dobile New Market.

His body bore severe head injuries, and police investigators recovered bloodstained cement blocks and a knife from the scene.

A post-mortem report confirmed that the deceased died from severe head injury due to blunt force trauma.

The police said the first suspect, Lamin, was arrested on October 3 following credible intelligence. His confession led to the arrest of the second suspect, Abdulai, at Adabiya, a suburb of Wa, on October 6.

Abdulai, an ex-convict with multiple aliases, attempted to escape on a bicycle but was overpowered by officers with the help of local residents.

Items retrieved from Abdulai included a mobile phone, a solar-powered radio, and a bicycle — all identified as belonging to the late Mr. Yahaya. A search at his hideout near the Wa airstrip uncovered a sack containing cooked meat, a pickaxe handle, and a specially designed cutlass, which were also linked to the victim.

During interrogation, Abdulai allegedly confessed to killing 15 people in the Wa Municipality since 2021, mostly watchmen and mentally challenged persons. He also claimed to have murdered six others in parts of the Savannah Region, including Bole, Banda Nkwanta, and Bamboi.

ACP Yiribaare disclosed that the two suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations, and one has already been remanded by the Wa Magistrate Court.