One of the two suspects arrested in relation to the murder of a night security guard, popularly known as a watchman, in the Upper West Region has confessed to killing 15 other people.

In a press briefing by the Upper West Regional Police Commander, ACP Francis Yiribaare, on October 8, 2025, he detailed that the gruesome murders happened at Bole, Banda Nkwanta, and Bamboi.

According to ACP Francis Yiribaare, the first suspect, identified as Sherif Abdulai, aged 30, was apprehended at Adabiya, a suburb of Wa.

While another suspect, Mahamuda Lamin, aged 25, was captured in connection with the recent killing of the watchman, Yahaya Issah.

ACP Francis Yiribaare further detailed that during interrogation, Sherif Abdulai, an ex-convict, confessed to being the man behind a series of killings in Wa and its surroundings, adding that his victims were mostly watchmen and mentally challenged persons, and he has been engaging in such activities since 2021.

"In addition, the suspect [Sherif Abdullai] later admitted during the interrogation that he has killed 15 people in the Wa municipality since 2021. And that is prior to the recent killing of Issah Yahaya, the watchman.

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"He further noted that he usually targets watchmen and mentally challenged persons," the police said.

The police commander also noted that through investigations, it has been able to retrieve the belongings of the late Yahaya Issah, including a Villoan keypad mobile phone and a solar-powered portable radio.

Also, a thorough search at Sherif Abdulai's hideout near the Wa Airstrip led to the recovery of a cutlass with specially designed edges, a bicycle, and a sack containing meat, all believed to be linked to his victims.

"He confessed that he had killed three more mad men and two watchmen at Bole in the Savannah Region, and then further [killed] one mad man in Banda Nkwanta, also in the Savannah region, and one mad woman in Bamboi. He carries his victims on his shoulder and buries them in bushes unnoticed," he added.

Meanwhile, the second suspect, Mahamuda Lamin, has been remanded by the Wa Magistrate Court and is scheduled to appear before the court on October 21, 2025.

JHM/SEA

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