By Grace Zigah
The Tamale High Court has sentenced four men to eight years imprisonment each with hard labour after finding them guilty in a kidnapping and ransom case that has heightened concerns about the growing threat of abductions in the Northern Region.
The convictions come as the Ghana Police Service intensifies efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks operating across parts of the region, with investigations continuing into several other cases involving ransom demands, shootings, and the killing of victims.
Speaking at a press briefing in Tamale on Tuesday, Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, announced that the four convicts — Haruna Seidu, Osman Sambo, Amadu Aminu, and Hoyeefe Amadu — were successfully prosecuted before Tamale High Court Two after their involvement in the abduction of a man at Wapuli.
According to the police, the kidnappers abducted their victim and subsequently demanded a ransom from his family in exchange for his release.
Following intelligence-led investigations, officers from the Northern Regional Police Intelligence Unit tracked the suspects to Bokpaba along the Yendi-Bimbilla road, where they were arrested while allegedly sharing the ransom proceeds.
DCOP Lavoe disclosed that the court found the accused persons guilty on multiple charges, including conspiracy to kidnap, kidnapping, causing harm, and threat of death.
The court subsequently sentenced each of them to eight years imprisonment with hard labour, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.
As part of the judgment, the court also ordered the auctioning of four motorbikes and four mobile phones retrieved from the convicts during investigations.
Proceeds from the auction are to be paid into the Consolidated Fund. Additionally, an amount of GH¢70,010 recovered from the ransom money is to be returned to the complainant’s brother, Buubu Osman.
The convictions represent a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in northern Ghana, where security agencies have recorded a number of abduction cases in recent years, often involving ransom demands and violent attacks on victims.
Despite the successful prosecution, police say the fight is far from over.
DCOP Lavoe revealed that investigations are ongoing into several other kidnapping incidents, including a disturbing case in Kabulya where armed men attacked the residence of one Laolo Issah, assaulted two family members, and abducted a young boy.
According to the Regional Commander, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of GH¢100,000 before reducing the amount to GH¢20,000 during negotiations.
Acting on intelligence, police intercepted suspect Amadu Abubakari at the Binda barrier, where officers recovered the GH¢20,000 ransom money together with an unregistered motorbike believed to have been used in the crime.
Police investigations indicate that the suspect admitted involvement in the kidnapping and provided information on other accomplices who remain at large.
The abducted victim, identified as Ali Issah, was later found at the Kpandai Government Hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the jaw.
Due to the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the Tamale Teaching Hospital for specialized treatment.
In another tragic development, police are also investigating the kidnapping and killing of 26-year-old Yahaya Issahaq, who was abducted on May 25, 2026, while grazing cattle in the Mion District.
According to police reports, the kidnappers initially demanded GH¢200,000 from the victim’s family before reducing the ransom demand to GH¢150,000.
Through coordinated intelligence operations and digital tracking techniques, investigators eventually traced the victim’s whereabouts.
However, their efforts ended in tragedy when Yahaya’s body was discovered on May 28 near River Dakar at Kpajie, close to Nakpa.
Police say the deceased had sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and was found with a chain around his neck, indicating the brutality of the attack.
