Upper East Police arrest three suspects over Worinyanga attacks

The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Iddrisu Sumaila and an attack on Sambin Halidu, the elected chief of the Tindorunga community under Worinyanga in the Tempane District.

The suspects, identified as Majeed Bawumya, 34, Milla Justice, 27, and Majeed Awudu, 20, were arrested on May 26, 2026, during an operation by officers from the Upper East Regional Police Command and the Garu District Command.

The statement was signed by Chief Inspector Abdul-Rahman Sumaila, Public Relations Officer for the Upper East Region.

According to the Police, a search conducted at the residence of Majeed Bawumya Agbango, also known as Atan Majeed, led to the retrieval of a BRUNI MOD 92 Cal. 8mmK pistol, several sharp objects, GH¢600 in cash and three mobile phones believed to be linked to the crime.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the kingmakers of Worinyanga had presented three candidates, including Sambin Halidu, to the overlord of Bawku, Naba Zugraan Asigri Abugrago Azorka II, for vetting and possible enskinment as chief of Tindorunga.

Police said members of an opposing faction, including suspect Majeed Bawumya Agbango, allegedly protested against the selection of Sambin Halidu and threatened to disrupt the enskinment ceremony scheduled for May 26, 2026.

Investigations further indicated that on May 25, 2026, suspect Alhassan Sabrina and other accomplices currently at large allegedly met at the residence of Majeed Bawumya Agbango in Worinyanga to plan the disruption of the ceremony.

According to the Police, at about 3:00 a.m. on May 26, 2026, the suspects, armed with offensive weapons, including a pistol, stormed the house of Sambin Halidu and allegedly fired indiscriminately while preparations were ongoing for the enskinment ceremony.

Police said the attackers also burned a Mitsubishi 4×4 vehicle with registration number GE 1115-13.

Several persons sustained injuries during the attack, while Iddrisu Sumaila, who suffered gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Upper East Regional Police Command assured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order and urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations.