UE/R: MAYA condemns alleged police killings in Zuarungu

The Mamprugu Youth Association (MAYA) has condemned what it describes as “alleged extrajudicial killings” in Zuarungu in the Upper East Region, calling the incidents a “national disgrace” and warning of a dangerous escalation of tensions linked to the Bawku conflict.

Addressing the media on May 6, 2026, the group said it was speaking not only for its members but also for “justice, human dignity, and the sanctity of life” in Ghana. The statement referenced an earlier case involving the death of Abdul-Aziz Iddrisu, also known as Baaluuse, a 33-year-old from Bawku who allegedly died while in police custody in February 2026.

According to MAYA, that incident signaled a troubling pattern of abuse, which it claims is now repeating itself in Zuarungu.

The group’s latest concerns stem from a police operation conducted on April 30, 2026, in which ten individuals were reportedly arrested and taken to the Zuarungu Police Station. While four detainees were later granted bail, MAYA alleges that two others, identified as Samsudeen Mohammed and Seidu Safianu, were subsequently taken out for interrogation and later declared dead under unclear circumstances.

Police have maintained that the operation was intelligence-led and targeted a suspected robbery gang, stating that two suspects died from gunshot injuries sustained during the operation. However, MAYA disputes this account, describing it as “inconsistent and misleading.”

The association insists that family members and eyewitnesses who visited the detainees shortly after their arrest confirmed that all were alive, healthy, and without visible injuries while in custody.

MAYA also highlighted what it described as inconsistencies in the police’s official statements, including conflicting dates of arrest, multiple edits to the release, and the late introduction of robbery allegations. The group further questioned why no immediate medical attention was reportedly provided if the suspects had indeed sustained injuries earlier.

Raising a series of critical questions, the association asked when and where the alleged gunshot injuries occurred, why the suspects were reportedly unharmed in custody but later declared dead, and which version of the police account the public should believe.

The group also expressed concern about alleged misconduct within elements of the security services, warning that such actions risk worsening tensions in the already volatile Bawku area.

MAYA emphasized that the Ghana Police Service does not have the constitutional authority to take lives through extrajudicial means, describing such actions as grave violations of human rights and the rule of law.

The association has therefore called on President John Dramani Mahama to urgently establish an independent commission of enquiry to investigate the incidents. It also demanded full transparency from the police, including the release of unedited operational records, and accountability for all officers involved.

Meanwhile, the affected families have indicated their intention to pursue legal action against those deemed responsible.