Conflicting accounts emerge over fatal shooting in Sefwi Sayerano

Conflicting accounts have emerged over the fatal shooting at Sefwi Sayerano in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region, which left two people dead and four others injured.

Speaking to the media during a peaceful protest captured by TV3 on July 7, 2026, some residents disputed the earlier account of the incident and shared their version of events.

According to one resident, three plain-clothed police officers entered the community in search of a suspected tramadol dealer.

"The police patrol team stormed the community claiming they were looking for a drug peddler. Three officers in plain clothes approached the suspect, alleging that he was selling tramadol. They searched his shop but found nothing. After arresting him, they called for a patrol vehicle to transport him to the station. As they were about to leave, a young man attempted to stop them by opening the patrol vehicle's door.

"The police allegedly fired at the young man, but he dodged the bullet. Instead, it struck a man who was on his way to his farm, killing him," the resident claimed.

Another resident accused some police officers of harassing young men in the area under the guise of anti-drug operations.

She further alleged that some suspects were extorted during such operations.

"If you believe someone has committed an offence, why not take the person to the police station instead of demanding money? One young man couldn't pay the GH¢10,000 they allegedly demanded, so they took him away," she claimed.

The residents' accounts differ from earlier reports, which indicated that police officers faced a confrontation while attempting to arrest a suspected drug peddler, prompting the shooting.

Following the incident, unidentified persons reportedly set fire to a police post at Asempaneye Forest near Sefwi Sayerano.

Although no injuries were recorded in the arson attack, the incident has heightened security concerns in the area.

According to the Western North Regional Police Command, preliminary investigations indicate that six people sustained gunshot wounds during the incident, two of whom later died. The remaining four victims are receiving treatment at the Asafo Roman Catholic Hospital.

The Ghana Police Service has since interdicted all eight officers involved in the operation, while the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

VPO