The Upper East Regional Police Command, in collaboration with the military, has carried out an intelligence-led operation in the Binduri District following a recent spate of shooting incidents and firearm-related offences.
A press release issued by the Upper East Regional Police Command and signed by the head of the Command’s Public Affairs Unit, Chief Inspector Abdul-Raman Sumaila, says one suspect, 32-year-old Isaka Sabani alias “Culture”, sustained gunshot wounds during the exercise and later passed on.
An AK-47 assault rifle loaded with 28 rounds of ammunition was retrieved from him, according to the release.
According to the police, preliminary investigations show that the deceased was wanted in connection with a case of attempted murder and unlawful discharge of firearms reported at the Bawku Police Station on Friday, 28 August 2026.
He was also suspected to have been involved in separate shooting incidents at Agenda 111, Aniisi and Gumyoko, all in the Binduri District, on 29th, 30th and 31st August, 2026.
The Command says it remains committed to working with sister security agencies and other stakeholders to arrest all other perpetrators and ensure law and order in the region.
Throwback:
Major Drug Busts: 500 Cartons of Tramadol Seized in Pusiga
In an earlier operation on 18th August 2026, personnel from the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) and the operational team “The Black Cobra” seized 500 cartons of Tramadol in Widana in the Pusiga District after a month-long intelligence exercise.
The dawn operation led to the arrest of 21-year-old Burkinabe national, Abdul Ali. Police said the drugs were retrieved from a private warehouse and homes, with intelligence pointing to foreign nationals from Mali, Togo, Burkina Faso and Senegal using Widana as a transit and distribution centre.
14 Arrested for Indian Hemp Cultivation in Nabdam
Two days earlier, on 16th August, the same PID/Black Cobra team arrested 14 persons at Daliga in Nabdam District for allegedly cultivating Indian hemp concealed in sacks of millet and maize.
Police named the suspects as ranging in age from 20 to 70 years. A press release issued on Monday, August 17, 2026, by the Upper East Regional Police Command named the suspects as: Alex Nyaaba, 63; Charles Kolog Dombil, 30; Ziimi Pandam, 45; Jennifer Ziimi, 30; Tobire Naab, 70; James Yinteng, 59; and Sandenab Peelim, 35.
The other suspects were: Abane Zamgbeog, 48; Borimi Nahou, 29; Tobil Wandabil, 27; Gurimi Nabdok, 29; Nahou Dogobila, 41; Teng Gurimi, 26; and Kugeri Gurimi, 20.
The Command said the group cultivated the narcotics alongside food crops to evade detection and were major suppliers to peddlers across the region.
Armed Robbery Gang Busted in Talensi
On 5th May 2026, police arrested four suspected armed robbers — Amadu Rahman, Abdulai Ibrahim, Adu Yakubu and Amadu Sulemana alias Saaga — in Gban, Talensi District.
The gang, accused of terrorising parts of Upper East and North East Regions, allegedly confessed to hijacking motorbikes, a viral raid on Viikandi Investment phone shop in Bolgatanga, robberies along the Yagaba-Fumbisi roads and at Gbane mining sites.
They led police to retrieve an AK-47 rifle with 87 rounds buried near Biung.
Murder Case in Zuarungu: Six Arrested
On 31st August 2026, police also arrested six persons in connection with the murder of tricycle rider Akolbila Blessing at Dulugu in Bolgatanga East.
The victim was allegedly beaten to death after failing to account for daily sales to his employer. The suspects — Avandiba Atubiga Kante, Atua Atombire Mpika, Amale Nyaaba Nicholas, Atua Ayinbotima, Atuah Nsobila Prosper and Ayine Albert Sunday — were expected to be arraigned at the Bolgatanga District Magistrate Court on 1st September.
The recent crackdowns have been attributed to Upper East Regional Police Commander DCOP John Ferguson Dzineku, who assumed office in mid-2025. Observers credit him with repositioning the Command to be more proactive, fair and firm.
“The Regional Police Commander has shown that you can’t commit a crime in this region and get away with it no matter who you are and where you are hiding,” a resident of the region, Mark Nsobila, recently said.
Source: Edward Adeti/Media Without Borders/mwbonline.org/Ghana/West Africa
