2 Kumasi Girls SHS Teachers, Others Arrested Over Kidnapping

Two teachers of Kumasi Girls Senior High School and two other suspects have been arrested by the Central North Regional Police Command for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping, torture and extortion of a 30-year-old man.

The victim, identified as Bismarck Amo, was rescued by the police during an intelligence-led operation after allegedly being held captive for five days and subjected to severe torture.

The suspects have been identified as Mavis Badu Acheampong, 42, a teacher at Kumasi Girls SHS; Kenneth Opoku Kwarteng, alias Culture, also a teacher at the school; Charles Doku, 53, a security guard; and Oteng Baffour, 31, an electrician.

The first three suspects are residents of Breman UGC, while the age of Kwarteng was not immediately known.

According to the Central North Regional Police Command, the operation, code-named “Operation Rescue the Victim and Arrest the Perpetrators,” was conducted on September 11 following intelligence gathered on the alleged kidnapping.

The operation was coordinated by the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, and involved personnel from the Central North Regional Command, the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit, CID Headquarters and specialised officers from the Ashanti Region.

It was led by the Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, with the Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Agyemang Badu.

Alleged Fraud

Police investigations indicate that the incident began on September 3 when Amo allegedly defrauded Acheampong of an unspecified amount of money.

Following the alleged fraud, Acheampong, with the involvement of her husband, a senior military officer currently outside the country, is said to have lured Amo from his residence in Assin Fosu to Kumasi through a telephone call.

Upon his arrival in Kumasi, Acheampong allegedly enlisted Doku, Baffour, Kwarteng and other accomplices, who are currently at large, to abduct him.

Police said Amo was subsequently held at Acheampong’s private residence from September 6 to 11, where he was allegedly subjected to severe torture.

GH¢19,500 Ransom Paid

Despite the victim’s family paying GH¢19,500 through mobile money transfers, the suspects allegedly refused to release him.

Police said the alleged kidnappers demanded a total of GH¢45,000, claiming the money was to cover the purported debt and expenses incurred in locating Amo.

After receiving GH¢19,500, they allegedly demanded an additional GH¢30,500 and threatened to kill the victim if the balance was not paid.

The suspects allegedly stripped Amo naked, tied his hands with nylon rope and repeatedly beat him, causing serious injuries to his head and genital area.

They also reportedly recorded videos of the abuse and sent them to his family as part of the ransom demands.

Family Alerts Police

The victim’s family reported the matter to the Regional CID in Assin Fosu on September 8 after paying the ransom but failing to secure Amo’s release.

The report triggered an immediate rescue operation, with police deploying tracking and tactical teams across regional boundaries to locate the victim and his alleged abductors.

On September 11, police said the suspects, having realised that officers were closing in on them, attempted to move Amo to another undisclosed location.

However, tactical officers intercepted them during the transfer and rescued the victim.

Amo was found partially unconscious, covered in blood and suffering severe bruising across his body.

He was immediately conveyed to a medical facility, where he remains under police protection and is receiving treatment for his physical injuries and psychological trauma.

Manhunt for Military Officer

The four suspects are currently in police custody and are being processed for court.

Police have also launched a manhunt for the senior military officer allegedly linked to the incident, as well as other suspected accomplices who remain at large.

The Police Administration has cautioned members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, stressing that financial disputes or grievances do not justify kidnapping, torture or extortion.

It has assured the public that the Ghana Police Service will continue to deploy intelligence-led operations to dismantle organised criminal networks and bring those responsible to justice.

Photographs of the four arrested suspects have been released to the media, while police investigations continue.