Lawyers representing the families of two men killed and others detained during a police operation in Zuarungu, Upper East Region, on April 29, 2026, are demanding an independent investigation into the incident. The legal team, through Libran Consults, has publicly questioned the Ghana Police Service’s official account of dismantling a robbery gang, citing inconsistencies with information from families and eyewitnesses.
Context of the Operation
The Ghana Police Service stated that the operation was intelligence-led and aimed at disrupting a robbery gang operating in the region. The police report indicated that the operation resulted in the arrest of several individuals and the death of two suspects who allegedly sustained gunshot wounds during a confrontation.
However, the lawyers for the affected families dispute this narrative. They assert that the individuals were at their residence in Zuarungu on the night of April 29 when police entered the premises.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
According to the legal statement, the individuals were seated and conversing at the time of the police entry, and there was no exchange of gunfire or armed resistance as suggested by the police. Approximately ten individuals were arrested and taken to the Zuarungu Police Station.
The lawyers highlighted that four of those arrested were released the following day without charge, suggesting that initial police assessments did not deem all apprehended persons culpable.
A critical point of contention is the removal of Safianu Seidu, identified as a social worker at the Zuarungu District Assembly, from police custody at approximately 9:45 a.m. on April 30. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location.
Subsequent inquiries by family members revealed through the Bolgatanga Police Command that the arrested individuals were being transferred to Accra by officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID).
Deaths and Human Rights Concerns
Families expressed alarm upon learning through a police public statement that Safianu Seidu and Shamsudeen Mohammed, a professional nurse at Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, had allegedly died from gunshot wounds sustained during the police operation. The lawyers argue that these circumstances raise significant constitutional and human rights concerns.
They emphasized that individuals arrested or detained by the police are constitutionally entitled to protection, including the rights to life, dignity, and due process. The discrepancy between the police’s account of an armed confrontation and the families’ claims of peaceful apprehension underscores the need for a thorough investigation.
Demands for Transparency and Accountability
The legal team is calling for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the deaths of Seidu and Mohammed. They urge the Ghana Police Service to provide a full account of the events, including the chain of command, custody records, and transfer logs related to the deceased.
Furthermore, the lawyers have appealed for the involvement of independent oversight bodies, specifically the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), to ensure impartiality and restore public confidence in the investigative process.
The legal representatives have reserved the right to pursue constitutional and civil legal actions, asserting that there appears to be a prima facie case of unlawful deprivation of life. They have also called upon civil society organizations and the public to advocate for accountability and adherence to the rule of law in cases involving individuals in state custody.
Official Response and Next Steps
The Ghana Police Service has not yet issued a detailed response to the specific allegations raised by the lawyers. The Upper East Regional Command had previously stated that the case was under further investigation and that a response would be provided by the national headquarters when deemed necessary.
The families and friends of the deceased had also previously held a press conference detailing similar concerns. The situation remains a focal point for discussions on police conduct and citizen rights in the region.
Looking Ahead
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether an independent investigation is initiated and what details emerge from the police’s internal review. The public and civil society will be watching closely for transparency and adherence to due process, particularly given the serious allegations of human rights violations and the loss of life. The potential for further legal action by the families also looms, pending the outcome of any official inquiries.
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