Suspect arrested in killing of two forest guards at Mpamso

Police in the Bono Region have arrested a key suspect in connection with the gruesome murder of two forest guards at Mpamso in the Dormaa Central Municipality.

The suspect, identified as Bashiru Kinda, a 45-year-old motor mechanic, is alleged to have murdered Sani Aliyu, 34, and Ibrahim Musa, 35, both security guards with the ADRAS Timber Concession.

According to police sources, Kinda is believed to be part of a group of illegal chainsaw operators who stormed the Mpamso Forest near Nsuhia and killed the guards while they were on duty.

The suspect was arrested on Monday, November 3, 2025, at a hideout at Diabaa in the Dormaa area following sustained police intelligence and surveillance.

A statement signed by the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Chief Inspector Thomas Akeela, confirmed the arrest and revealed that a search conducted in the suspect’s room uncovered a cache of weapons and items believed to have been used in the attack.

“One Automatic Bruni Model 96 9mm pistol loaded with three rounds of 7.65mm ammunition, four mobile phones, machetes, talismans, and other amulets were retrieved from the suspect’s room,” the statement said.

The incident dates back to October 26, 2025, when Ibrahim Issah, a 41-year-old security guard at the ADRAS Timber Concession, reported to the police that about 200 suspected illegal chainsaw operators had invaded the concession site armed with guns and machetes.

During the attack, the guards on duty were overpowered, and the two victims were shot dead. The attackers also set ablaze a Toyota pickup truck with registration number GT 3079-17 before fleeing the scene.

Police officers who responded to the distress call later discovered the bodies of the two guards lying about 100 metres apart in a supine position. The bodies were subsequently conveyed to the Dormaa Presbyterian Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Investigations, according to the Bono Regional Police Command, are still ongoing to apprehend other accomplices believed to be involved in the attack, while Kinda remains in custody to assist with investigations.