A key suspect in the November 2025 murders of two young persons in Kandeu, identified as 35-year-old Abu Tijani alias “Master One” of Wechau, has died while in police custody, the Upper West Regional Police Command said on Tuesday.
Police said Tijani was arrested on Saturday, July 25, 2026, after intelligence linked him to the killings.
He had been on the police’s wanted list after escaping arrest on May 11, 2026, and ignoring police calls relayed through the Paramount Chief of Wechau and elders to report for questioning. Officers say Tijani resisted arrest and injured two policemen before he was restrained.
During interrogation, Tijani admitted involvement in the murders and told investigators the victims were initially buried near Wechau but were later exhumed and reburied across the Black Volta in Burkina Faso to avoid detection. He guided police to the original burial site three kilometres west of Wechau; however, officers found no remains because the bodies had been moved, the statement said.
While being escorted to locate an alleged accomplice along Nakore Road, Tijani complained of a severe headache. Police halted the operation and took him to the Seventh‑Day Adventist Hospital in Wa, where he was admitted about 1:00 pm and pronounced dead at approximately 4:37 pm. His body is at the Upper West Regional Hospital morgue pending autopsy.
DCOP Francis Yiribaare, Upper West Regional Commander, conveyed condolences from the Inspector General of Police to the Wechau Naa and the suspect’s family and appealed for calm. A three‑member delegation from the Paramount Chief inspected the body at the morgue. The Police Professional Standards Bureau has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death, the command said.
The regional command urged the public to avoid speculation and to cooperate with police as investigations continue.
