Four men have been convicted and sentenced to prison terms for kidnapping and related offences in the Northern Region, as police intensify efforts to track down suspects involved in other abduction cases.
The Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, announced the convictions during a press briefing in Tamale on Tuesday, revealing that the suspects were prosecuted before Tamale High Court Two.
The convicted individuals — Haruna Seidu, Osman Sambo, Amadu Aminu and Hoyeefe Amadu — were found guilty of abducting a man at Wapuli and demanding ransom from his family.
According to DCOP Lavoe, the suspects were arrested by the Northern Regional Police Intelligence Unit while sharing the ransom proceeds at Bokpaba along the Yendi–Bimbilla road.
“The accused persons were arrested by the Northern Regional Police Intelligence Unit while sharing the ransom money at Bokpaba on the Yendi–Bimbilla road,” he said.
The court convicted the four on charges of conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, causing harm and threat of death. Each was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment with hard labour, with the sentences to run concurrently.
The court also ordered the auction of four motorbikes and four mobile phones seized during investigations, with proceeds to be paid into the Consolidated Fund. Additionally, GH¢70,010 recovered from the ransom payment is to be returned to the complainant’s brother, Buubu Osman.
DCOP Lavoe disclosed that investigations remain ongoing into other kidnapping cases in the region, including one involving a teenage victim who sustained a gunshot injury.
He explained that in the Kabulya case, armed men attacked the residence of Laolo Issah, assaulted two family members and abducted a boy. The kidnappers initially demanded GH¢100,000 in ransom before reducing the amount to GH¢20,000.
Acting on intelligence, police intercepted suspect Amadu Abubakari at the Binda barrier and recovered GH¢20,000 believed to be ransom money, along with an unregistered motorbike. The suspect reportedly admitted involvement in the crime and identified several accomplices who remain at large.
The kidnapped victim, Ali Issah, was later found at Kpandai Government Hospital with a gunshot wound to the jaw before being transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
In a separate incident, police confirmed the kidnapping of 26-year-old Yahaya Issahaq, who was abducted on May 25 while grazing cattle in the Mion District.
According to police, the kidnappers initially demanded GH¢200,000 before reducing their demand to GH¢150,000.
DCOP Lavoe said intelligence-led operations and digital tracking efforts ultimately led investigators to a location near River Dakar at Kpajie, close to Nakpa, where the victim’s body was discovered on May 28.
He disclosed that the deceased had sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and was found with a chain around his neck.
The Regional Commander extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured the public that police would continue efforts to apprehend all individuals connected to the crimes.
“The Northern Regional Police Command remains resolute in its commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes within the region,” he stated.
Police have appealed to members of the public to assist ongoing investigations by providing relevant information through emergency numbers 191 and 18555 or by reporting to the nearest police station.
