Muftawu Nabila Abdulai narrates how he escaped assassination attempt last year
GJA Sports Journalist of the Year, Muftawu Nabila Abdulai, has shared a terrifying account of how he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt on December 23, 2023.
Speaking on Day Break Hitz with Andy Dosty, Muftawu recounted the chilling details of the encounter, which began with what seemed like a harmless offer of a ride.
“The gentleman came from behind me, introduced himself as Abdul Hannan, and asked if I was heading to Joy FM. I said yes. He then offered to give me a lift, but I declined,” Muftawu explained.
“He told me he was a fan of my programmes, saying I was a ‘star boy’ and that I was turning down his request. So, after some pressure, I reluctantly agreed.
The 33-year-old journalist revealed that his mother, Lamisi Adama Dokurugu, had a prophetic dream days before, warning him not to accept a ride from anyone. In the dream, she saw him shot in the back, falling to his death.
“Andy, God has a way of saving you if it’s your time. My mother had dreamt that I would be shot from behind and killed. So, as I was in the car, her words flashed in my mind, and I started praying for my life,” the JoySports journalist recalled.
Things quickly took a dark turn. He was taken deep into Dzorwulu, far from his intended destination.
Sensing danger, Muftawu tried to excuse himself.
“Along the way, I saw a gentleman with us. He had this small bag with black stripes. It looked like a sea blue bag or so.
“I told them I’d forgotten something at home and needed to go back. They insisted on taking me back. I said I wanted to pass through 37, and again, they insisted they would take me to 37. It felt like there was no way out,” he said.
“Fortunately, we approached a spot where the police had stopped a lady and a gentleman, possibly for a traffic offence. In that moment, I jumped out, and the guy looking visibly angry at what I did, told me in Hausa, today, we would have taught you a lesson. It was the scariest moment of my life,”
Muftawu immediately reported the incident to the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters.
“First, I reported it to the office [Multimedia Group]. I remember Fiifi Koomson, [General Manager of Joy Brands] said even if someone offers you a ride with V8, don’t take it,” he laughs.
“It was that scary. I reported it to the Greater Accra Regional Police Headquarters, the Crime Officer gave me Policemen to take them through the route we went through and I did.
“Andy, if anyone tells you the Ghana Police Service do not have what it takes to apprehend criminals, it’s a lie. Within two hours after I reported the matter to the police, they had pictures of us.
“That’s how sophisticated the Ghana Police can be. They later told me the ride is registered in the name of a woman at Sowutuom, but to date, no arrest has been made.
“The last time I followed up after returning to Ghana, I was told the Regional Crime Officer had been transferred, and the investigation would have to start all over again. I just had to let it go, because what matters is, I escaped.”