Muntaka reveals how prime suspect in 2024 Tolon election violence wins NPP constituency Youth Organiser race

Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak has disclosed that a man wanted in connection with the 2024 election-related shooting at Nyankpala in the Tolon Constituency was declared winner of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Youth Organiser election despite being on the run.

The suspect, Alhaji Abdul-Latif Copshe, is among two persons being pursued by the police over the incident, which resulted in the death of one person and injuries to several others.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 24, 2026, Mr Muntaka said the shooting occurred on December 7, 2024, after a confrontation over alleged vote-buying reportedly escalated into an armed attack.

According to him, armed men allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, including at an NDC pavilion, killing Sayibu Haruna and injuring others.

The Interior Minister said investigations had identified Alhaji Copshe and another suspect, known as Sankara, as the principal suspects. Both men reportedly left the community after the incident and efforts to arrest them have so far been unsuccessful.

Mr Muntaka, however, said the police had established that while Copshe was away from the community, nomination forms were picked on his behalf for the NPP's internal election for Constituency Youth Organiser.

“He was declared the winner in the said election and retained as the constituency Youth Organiser,” the Minister said.

He added that police investigators had recovered three suspected pistols and one CZ rifle believed to be connected to the shooting.

Forensic examination, he said, further established that one of the pistols had fired three spent shells recovered from the crime scene.

“Efforts are continuing to monitor and arrest the suspects,” Mr Muntaka said.

Ablekuma Central shooting
The Interior Minister also provided an update on investigations into the December 7, 2020 shooting at the Odorkor Police Church collation centre in the Ablekuma Central Constituency.

The incident resulted in the death of Abass Ibrahim and injuries to five others.

Mr Muntaka said the principal suspect remains an unidentified soldier who was captured on video firing a weapon during the incident.

He said another suspect, Collins Quarcoo, alias Kola, was identified during investigations into the shooting of one of the victims, Pius Asiedu Kwanin.

According to the Minister, the Military High Command released four soldiers for investigation on August 4, 2025. The soldiers confirmed that they were present at the scene but denied knowing the soldier captured in the video.

The identity of the soldier seen firing the weapon therefore remains unknown.

Mr Muntaka said Collins Quarcoo, alias Kola, had been charged with causing harm and using an offensive weapon and was put before Circuit Court 4 in Accra.

He assured that investigations into both cases were continuing, with efforts ongoing to identify, locate and apprehend the remaining suspects.