Forty-four people have been remanded into police custody over the mob killing of a police officer at Gindabour in the Savannah Region, as investigations continue into the deaths of a teacher and the officer in a violent chain of events that has left the community tense.
The accused persons were arraigned before the Buipe Magistrate Court after General Constable Redeemer Owusu was lynched on September 16, following the death of Gindabour D/A Primary School teacher, Abu Seidu.
They face charges including conspiracy and murder and are expected to reappear before the court on October 12, 2026.
The unrest has also triggered reports of widespread vandalism of private property, including vehicles, motorcycles and houses, with some residents reportedly fleeing the community.
How it started
According to the Savannah Regional Police Command, General Constable Owusu and other officers were conducting highway patrol duties along the Gindabour-Kenkyen road when they encountered a motorbike rider.
The Police said the rider diverted into the bush after seeing the patrol vehicle, prompting the officers to follow from another direction.
They reportedly found the rider unconscious on a bush road, picked him up and began transporting him to hospital. He died before reaching the facility.
The Police identified the rider as Abu Seidu.
News of his death allegedly triggered anger among some residents, who attacked the patrol team. General Constable Owusu was killed in the attack, while other officers sustained injuries and the police vehicle was damaged.
The Police subsequently arrested 36 suspects, but the number of accused persons before the court has since risen to 44.
Community disputes Police account
The circumstances surrounding Seidu’s death remain contentious.
Residents and youth groups have rejected the Police account, alleging that the teacher was stopped by police officers while travelling to his farm and was later found dead after allegedly failing to stop when signalled.
The conflicting accounts have fuelled anger in the community, with local youth calling for an independent investigation into both deaths.
The Sawla Youth Network has also condemned the killings and reported vandalism in Gindabour, calling for an independent probe and compensation for affected property owners.
Among the properties reportedly damaged is a Toyota Land Cruiser and a five-bedroom residence belonging to the Chief of Kog.
Allegations that some police personnel subsequently vandalised private property in retaliation for the death of General Constable Owusu have also emerged. Those claims have not been independently established.
Police reinforce Gindabour
The Inspector-General of Police has deployed investigators and intelligence officers to the area, while reinforcement teams from Damongo, Bole, Sawla, Tuna and Kalba have also been deployed to maintain security and support the investigation.
The bodies of Seidu and General Constable Owusu have been deposited at the Damongo mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The IGP has also travelled to Gindabour and is expected to engage the traditional authorities as efforts continue to restore calm.
With both deaths now the subject of investigations, the key unanswered question remains what exactly happened to Seidu before his death and what triggered the mob attack that claimed the life of the police officer.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
