Police Arrest Eight Suspects in Connection with Murder of Abamba Queenmother

The Ghana Police Service has announced a major breakthrough in investigations into the murder of the Queenmother of Abamba in the Atebubu area of the Bono East Region.

Addressing the media, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno disclosed that eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of Nana Serwaa Gyan Kuma, who was shot dead at her residence on February 25, 2026.

According to the IGP, the arrests were made following months of intelligence-led operations and investigations conducted by joint police teams, including intelligence officers, cybercrime experts, anti-robbery units, and regional command personnel.

He stated that intensified security operations in Atebubu had disrupted criminal activities in the area and led to several arrests, with some suspects engaging police in exchanges of gunfire during operations.

“These operations will continue to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their normal activities without fear of criminal attacks,” the IGP assured.

Police investigations reportedly took a major turn after suspects arrested in Kasoa over an alleged robbery plot were interrogated. One of the suspects, identified as Abdul Razak Ibrahim Langa, also known as Zak, allegedly confessed to having knowledge of the Queenmother’s killing and admitted being present during the attack.

Further investigations led to the arrest of Nana Yaw Bediako, also known as Nana Yaw, who police say confessed to being the shooter.

According to investigators, Nana Yaw Bediako allegedly named Nana Owusu Sankofi II, also known as Charles Kofi Owusu and chief of Akokoa, as the person who contracted the killing for an amount of GH¢50,000.

Police also linked Ishaku Alhassan, alias Sule Yagani, a convict currently serving a sentence at the Ankaful Maximum Security Prison, to the alleged murder plot as an intermediary.

Two additional suspects — Raymond Agyemang Darko, the Abakomahene of Akokoa, and Bukari Amadu, a driver — have also been arrested to assist investigations.

Bono East Regional Police Commander, Osei Shaibu, confirmed that five principal suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations, while three others have already been arraigned before the Techiman District Court and remanded.

Police said the Queenmother, who owned a restaurant known as Ohema’s Kitchen, was attacked shortly after returning home from work. She was reportedly shot multiple times while alighting from her vehicle.

Officers who responded to the scene recovered three spent 9mm cartridges. A post-mortem examination conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital reportedly concluded that she died from severe bleeding caused by gunshot wounds.

Investigators further revealed that the murder was allegedly orchestrated through intermediaries, with funds transferred via mobile money transactions to purchase weapons and ammunition used in the crime.

Police forensic examinations also reportedly uncovered communication between key suspects before and after the attack using a SIM card allegedly procured specifically for the operation.

On May 19, a joint police team escorted some of the suspects to Atebubu for a reconstruction of the crime scene, where they allegedly demonstrated how the Queenmother was ambushed and killed.

According to police, the suspects explained that they followed the Queenmother to her residence before opening fire and later fled to a nearby hotel before travelling to Accra the following day.

The Police Service further alleged that during the arrest of the chief of Akokoa, he attempted to offer officers GH¢200,000 to avoid detention, including an initial payment of GH¢100,000, which police say has been retained as evidence.