A disagreement over an unpaid GH¢50 debt for tramadol has ended in tragedy in Tamale, leaving a community shaken and a family grieving.
The victim, whose name has not yet been released, reportedly bought two tablets of tramadol, a powerful opioid painkiller, at GH¢25 each but failed to settle the payment.
The situation is said to have escalated into a violent confrontation involving two suspects, Abubakari Mohammed and Rasheed Sumaila.
According to the leader of the IGP Special Operations Team, DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil, the suspects allegedly beat the man during the altercation, leading to his death.
“The deceased had purchased two tablets of Tramadol 120mg for GH¢25.00 each but failed to make payment,” Abubakari Mohammed reportedly confessed during police interrogation.
Police say Abubakari Mohammed was arrested on the Accra to Kumasi highway while attempting to flee. Rasheed Sumaila was later apprehended.
Three other individuals, including Sumaila’s father, were also arrested for allegedly obstructing police officers in the course of their duties.
Beyond the fatal incident, the police team carried out separate swoop operations in parts of Tamale, arresting six more suspects for possession and sale of suspected Indian hemp and opioids.
The victim’s body has been preserved for autopsy as investigations continue.
Exhibits retrieved from the scene are being held for forensic examination as authorities work to piece together the full circumstances surrounding the killing.
