Land guards allegedly abduct detective at Shai Hills in bizarre standoff - Report

The Director General of Police Operations, Commissioner of Police (COP) Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, has opened an investigation into a disturbing incident at Shai Hills in the Shai Osudoku District, where a police investigator was allegedly abducted during a land dispute.

According to a report by thechronicle.com, the incident occurred on Saturday, May 2, 2026, Sergeant David Afeke, was allegedly taken away by armed men in mufti while he was carrying out investigations at a disputed land site along the Tema-Akosombo highway.

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The report indicated that the officer had gone to the site in the course of duty after responding to a complaint involving a real estate developer, Rush Asare, who had earlier reported harassment by land guards while developing his property near the VIK-FRANZ School Complex.

Before the incident escalated, tensions had already been building at the site following the arrival of armed men who reportedly took control of the land and demolished a fence wall and a gate.

It is reported that the situation worsened when Sergeant Afeke, who was in mufti but identified himself as a police investigator, was seized by the armed men despite introducing himself and showing his identity card.

Report has it that even though the investigator allegedly introduced himself as a police investigator and went ahead to show his identity card, he was still bundled into one of the two ‘standby’ pickups and whisked away to an unknown destination.

The vehicle involved was one of two unmarked pickups with registration numbers GG 972-24 and GS 241-24, which were said to have been used by the armed group.

The Chronicle newspaper says the situation created confusion at the scene, especially as another police team from Tema was already stationed nearby to provide security support for the developer.

As the tension rose, the Tema Regional Police Operations Commander, DSP Jean Kpelli, ordered his team to withdraw to prevent further escalation.

"Sensing danger and to avoid confrontation and the consequential bloodbath, the Regional Operations Commander, DSP Jean Kpelli, tactically withdrew his men to a safer ground pending further instructions," he said.

During the incident, Sergeant Afeke reportedly managed to contact the Afienya District Police Commander while being transported by the armed men.

On the way, Sgt Afeke was said to have reached out to the Afienya District Police Commander and reported how he was ‘abducted’.

The District Commander is said to have intervened by engaging the occupants of the vehicle, leading to the officer’s release back to the site.

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Meanwhile, the land at the centre of the dispute is said to have been claimed by different parties, with one Tawiah insisting he has ownership rights, while also denying involvement in the deployment of armed men.

The police have since taken steps to investigate the matter, with COP Teye-Cudjoe confirming the circumstances leading to the abduction, the mobilisation of the armed group, and the conduct of officers involved will all be examined.

MAG/VPO

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