BY Daniel Bampoe
A tragic incident in the Bono East Region has sparked widespread controversy and public outrage following the death of a man believed to be the brother of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Bono East Regional Chairman, Ibrahim Baba Bukari, during a police operation in Techiman.
While initial reports from family members and sections of the media suggested that the police had raided the NPP chairman’s residence and shot the deceased, the Ghana Police Service has vehemently denied any wrongdoing or unlawful entry.
In an official statement issued on Friday, August 1, 2025, the Ghana Police Service rejected claims that its officers had raided the private residence of Bukari.
According to the police, their operation was a response to actionable intelligence on a robbery incident taking place around 1:20 a.m. in Techiman.
Officers from the Bono East Regional Police Command reportedly observed individuals scaling a wall and swiftly intervened to apprehend the suspects.
During the confrontation, one of the suspects, later identified as Seidu Bukari, sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital.
He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Police investigations have since revealed that Seidu Bukari was a known member of a notorious robbery syndicate operating in Techiman and surrounding areas.
The gang is believed to specialize in stealing motorbikes and smuggling them to Kumasi for resale.
Further revelations confirmed that Seidu Bukari had previously been on the police’s wanted list for his role in similar criminal activities and was named in an earlier case still under investigation.
The Police said they believe the gang had returned to Techiman for another heist on the night of the incident when they were intercepted.
The police recovered a motorbike and several implements used in the attempted robbery at the scene.
However, the operation took a politically sensitive turn when it was later discovered that the location of the confrontation was the residence of Ibrahim Baba Bukari, the Bono East Regional Chairman of the NPP — raising immediate suspicions of political targeting or a possible misuse of force.
Reacting to the ensuing backlash and allegations, the Police Administration announced that the Inspector-General of Police had commissioned a high-level investigative team.
The team includes officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, the Police Professional Standards Bureau, and the Police Intelligence Directorate.
Their mandate is to ensure transparency, accountability, and a thorough examination of the events leading to the fatal shooting.
Despite the police’s official position, the incident has intensified public scrutiny of security operations in politically sensitive regions.
Critics argue that the timing and location of the incident—coinciding with the home of a top political figure—demand a more transparent and independent inquiry.
Family members of the deceased, believed to be closely tied to the NPP chairman, have also disputed the narrative presented by the police, insisting Seidu was not a robber and accusing the police of targeted brutality.
