Killing of Yidani Chief and Son: Two Suspects Arrested

Police have arrested two men in connection with the brutal murder of the newly enskinned Chief of Yidani, Naa Ntimla Nwenisim, and his son, Ntimla Bilaga, who were shot dead in their home earlier this month.

The suspects, 25-year-old Majejiba Magne and 34-year-old Haruna Nlegle, were apprehended on Wednesday following what police described as “credible intelligence” about their movements in the Gushegu District.

The killing occurred in the early hours of August 14 when three armed men allegedly stormed the chief’s residence at about 3:00 am.

According to Northern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, the assailants entered the compound and demanded to be directed to the chief’s room. When their request was refused, they fired a shot into the roof of a nearby room before forcing their way into the chief’s quarters and opening fire.

 

Five empty BB cartridges were recovered from the scene.

A post-mortem examination conducted on August 17 at the Tamale Teaching Hospital revealed that both victims suffered multiple injuries consistent with shotgun assaults and died from severe injuries and haemorrhagic shock.

The Inspector-General of Police immediately deployed a special operations team from Police Headquarters following the attack, while security patrols were intensified in Yidani and surrounding communities.

Police say they received intelligence on August 26 that two persons suspected to be involved in the murders were travelling from Dombine in the Gushegu District towards Chereponi.

The Gushegu Police alerted their counterparts in Chereponi, who intercepted and arrested the two suspects. They were subsequently transferred to the Yendi Divisional Command on August 27 and have been remanded in police custody to assist with investigations.

DCOP Lavoe confirmed that investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killings and to identify any other persons who may have participated in the attack.

The Police Commander has appealed to residents of Yidani, Dombine, Gushegu, Chereponi and surrounding communities to provide any information that could assist the investigation, assuring the public that all information would be treated confidentially.

He also urged the bereaved family, youth and residents to remain calm and refrain from any reprisal attacks or vigilantism.

“Anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to law,” DCOP Lavoe warned.

The killing of Naa Ntimla Nwenisim, who had only recently been enskinned as chief of Yidani, has sent shockwaves through the community and the wider Gushegu District. Traditional leaders in the area have condemned the attack and called for a thorough investigation.

The Northern Regional Police Command has assured the public of their commitment to bringing all perpetrators to justice.