BY Daniel Bampoe
A dramatic incident that began as a routine firefighting operation in Madina has escalated into a major criminal case, after a man claiming to be an officer of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) allegedly opened fire, leaving six people injured.
The suspect, identified as Mustapha Iddrisu Danlad, was arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court on Friday, September 20, 2025, where he was charged with multiple counts, including unlawful discharge of a firearm without authority, illegal possession of a firearm, and three counts of causing harm.
He pleaded not guilty but was ordered by the court to be remanded in police custody until September 25.
How the incident unfolded
The case dates back to August 3, 2025, when firefighters from the Ghana National Fire Service were called to battle a raging fire at the Redco Flats in Madina around 1:00 p.m.
According to prosecutors, police officers from the Madina Divisional Command also moved to the area to assist in crowd control and ensure public safety.
In the midst of the emergency response, Danlad reportedly had an altercation with some bystanders.
Though officers managed to de-escalate the situation, eyewitnesses say the accused stormed off the scene, only to return later armed with a pump-action shotgun.
Without warning, he allegedly fired multiple rounds into the crowd. Six civilians were struck by pellets, causing panic as residents fled from both the fire and the sudden gunfire.
The victims were rushed to hospital, with some receiving emergency treatment before discharge, while others were later transferred to the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital for specialized care.
Suspect on the run
After the shooting, Danlad allegedly went into hiding, sparking a manhunt by police.
He was eventually arrested on September 12, 2025, at Madina Redco around 5:00 a.m. In his caution statement, police say he admitted responsibility for the incident.
Questions over EOCO claim
One of the striking details of the case is Danlad’s claim that he serves as a Task Force Officer with EOCO, the state agency mandated to investigate and prosecute financial and organized crimes.
However, EOCO has not publicly confirmed any such association, raising suspicions that the accused may have impersonated a state officer to give himself an air of authority.
