Police in the Upper West Region have arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of a night security guard, with one of them reportedly confessing to killing 15 people.
According to the Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Francis Yiribaare, the killings include three incidents in Bole and Banda in the Savannah Region. He revealed the details during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The police said the murders, which have caused widespread concern among residents, appear to be part of a disturbing pattern of violent crimes.
“In addition, the suspect, Sherif Abdullai, later admitted during interrogation that he has killed 15 people in the Wa Municipality since 2021. And that is prior to the recent killing of Issah Yahaya, the watchman,” the police stated.
“He further noted that he usually targets watchmen and mentally challenged persons,” the statement added.
According to investigators, the suspect confessed to killing three mentally ill men and two watchmen in Bole, one mentally ill man in Banda Nkwanta, and one mentally ill woman in Bamboi, all in the Savannah Region.
“He carries his victims on his shoulder and buries them in bushes, unnoticed,” the police revealed.
Both suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations.
The announcement follows an ongoing investigation into the murder of a security guard, whose identity has not been released pending further police procedures.
Reports of missing or murdered night watchmen in Wa and nearby communities first emerged in 2022, sparking fear and prompting swift intervention from traditional leaders and security agencies.
One of the victims was discovered in a shallow grave with parts of the body missing, fueling public speculation about ritual motives.
The latest killing of Issah Yahaya, also known as “Soldier”, a night watchman in Dobile, whose body was found under a shed near Wa’s new market with deep head injuries and a knife lodged in his chest, has revived public anxiety that the serial killings may have resumed.
