The Member of Parliament for Wa West, Peter Lanchene Toobu, has called for a transparent investigation into the death of Abu Tijani, popularly known as “Master One,” who died while in police custody assisting in investigation.
He urged residents to remain calm as authorities work to establish the facts.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the MP described the incident as unfortunate and expressed concern over its potential impact on ongoing efforts to restore peace between the Lassia Tuolu and Kendeu communities following their long-running communal conflict.
Toobu recounted that the conflict, which erupted on June 15, 2024, claimed three lives, left several people injured, destroyed property and strained relations between the two communities. He noted that although security agencies restored calm and mediation efforts led by the Upper West Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), Charles Lwanga Puozuing, had begun yielding positive results, the process suffered a setback after the murder of two young men from Bakpateng near Lassia Tuolu in Kendeu on November 23, 2025.
According to the MP, the Lassia Tuolu faction subsequently withdrew from the mediation process to pursue justice for the victims, whose bodies are yet to be recovered.
He explained that Abu Tijani had been identified by police as one of the suspects linked to the killings and had remained on the police wanted list after allegedly escaping arrest in May 2026.
Following his arrest on July 25, 2026, he reportedly died while receiving treatment at the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Hospital in Wa.
Retired officer Toobu said he visited Wechiau on July 29 to assess the security situation, where he met the Paramount Chief and his Council of Elders, received briefings from security officials and inspected a house allegedly burnt by some youth during the unrest.
Extending condolences to families affected by the conflict, the MP said the repeated loss of lives must not continue.
“Our common enemy is not ourselves. Our real enemies are poverty, disease, underdevelopment, unemployment, deprivation and illiteracy. These are the battles we must unite to fight,” he stated.
He appealed to residents to avoid spreading unverified information, inflammatory comments and hate speech, warning that rumours could further inflame tensions.
Toobu called on the Ghana Police Service to conduct a professional and impartial investigation into all allegations arising from the conflict, including the circumstances surrounding Abu Tijani’s death in police custody.
He also urged the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice to ensure the speedy and impartial prosecution of all criminal cases related to the Kendeu-Lassia Tuolu conflict.
“Justice must be done for every victim of this conflict,” he said, stressing that “crime is individualistic and not communal.”
The MP further encouraged both factions to return to the mediation table under the auspices of REGSEC, insisting that lasting peace could only be achieved through dialogue, reconciliation and mutual respect rather than violence.
He also appealed to traditional leaders, religious groups, youth and women leaders, civil society organisations and all people of Wa West to become ambassadors of peace while commending security personnel for their professionalism and sacrifice in maintaining law and order.
Meanwhile, the Upper West Regional Police Command has confirmed that Abu Tijani, 35, a youth leader from Wechiau and a key suspect in the murder investigation, died on July 25 after falling ill while assisting investigators.
According to a police statement, the suspect, who had previously evaded arrest, was apprehended through intelligence-led operations after allegedly resisting arrest and injuring two police officers.
Police said during interrogation, Abu Tijani admitted involvement in the disappearance of the two victims and led investigators to an alleged initial burial site near Wechiau, claiming the bodies had later been exhumed and reburied across the Black Volta River in Burkina Faso to avoid detection.
The statement said while accompanying investigators to identify another suspect, Abu Tijani complained of a severe headache. Officers immediately abandoned the operation and rushed him to the SDA Hospital in Wa, where he was admitted at about 1:00 p.m. but was pronounced dead at 4:37 p.m. despite efforts by medical staff.
His body has since been deposited at the Upper West Regional Hospital morgue pending an autopsy.
The Regional Police Command said it has informed the family and the Wechiau Traditional Authority of the development and assured the public that the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) has begun a transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s death.
Police have appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid speculation and cooperate with investigators as efforts continue to unravel both the homicide case and the circumstances leading to Abu Tijani’s death.
By Ibrahim Wangara
