Man killed in Tamale over unpaid tramadol debt, suspects arrested

A man has been killed in Tamale in the Northern Region following a dispute over an unpaid debt for Tramadol, prompting a swift police operation that led to multiple arrests.

According to the Ghana Police Service, the victim had allegedly purchased two tablets of the opioid painkiller, valued at GH¢50, but failed to settle the payment.

The disagreement reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation involving two suspects, identified as Abubakari Mohammed and Rasheed Sumaila.

DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, who leads the IGP Special Operations Team, said the suspects allegedly assaulted the victim during the altercation, resulting in his death before attempting to flee the area.

Abubakari Mohammed was arrested along the Accra-Kumasi Road while trying to escape, while Rasheed Sumaila was later apprehended.

Three additional individuals, including Sumaila’s father, were also taken into custody for allegedly obstructing police duties.

Police said Mohammed admitted during questioning that the deceased had taken two 120mg tablets of Tramadol costing GH¢25 each but did not pay.

As part of follow-up operations, the team conducted swoops in the area and arrested six more suspects for possession and sale of suspected Indian hemp and opioid substances.

Authorities confirmed that the victim’s body has been preserved for further investigation, while exhibits recovered at the scene have been retained for forensic analysis. Investigations are ongoing.