What began as an intelligence-led weapons retrieval mission ended in a fatal shootout after suspected armed robbers led police to a burial site in Yizesi, only for unknown assailants to open fire from hiding.
According to a police situational report, officers had arrested Sumaila Munkaila, 37, alias Guda, in Tamale on April 25 following a series of roadblock robberies in the Ashanti Region. He implicated Umaro Musah and others, leading to a second arrest in Savelugu.
On April 26, the suspects guided police to a bush near Fumbisi to recover hidden weapons. During the search, unidentified persons fired on the team.
The suspects then attempted to flee, prompting police to return fire. Munkaila and Musah sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. One officer was also injured, while another suspect escaped.
Despite the chaos, police recovered the following items from the bush;
- One CZ805 assault rifle (loaded, 14 rounds)
- One AK-47 assault rifle (loaded, 28 rounds plus 28 extra)
- One pump-action gun with 6 “BB” cartridges
- One single-barrel gun
- Four jackets identified by the suspects as robbery attire
Investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining accomplices.