Four individuals have lost their lives following a deadly daylight attack at the district office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in the Upper East Region on Monday, October 20.

The unfortunate incident has also left several others injured. The deceased individuals include a bystander, an NHIA staff member, a mentally unstable man and Yahaya Bukari, headmaster of Garu D/A Junior High School.

According to eyewitness accounts, the Garu District Office of the NHIA was invaded by four armed men on two motorbikes, who subsequently fired shots wildly. Two of the gunmen are said to have been masks.

“Around 10am there about, we heard gunshots. Initially, we thought it was coming from the rural bank area, but later we found out that the attackers had gone to the health insurance office,” a witness stated.

Speaking to the media, former Presiding Member of the Garu District Assembly and now Assembly Member for Kugri, Edward Ndebugri, recounted that the gunmen later targeted bystanders and fleeing residents.

“There is a public school close to the health insurance office, and when the shooting started, the teachers and pupils began running helter-skelter. The gunmen chased them in the direction they fled, and when one of the teachers fell, they shot him dead,” he added.

The assailants reportedly left the NHIA office with nothing. In response to the incident, heavily armed police and military personnel thronged key areas, including the District Health Insurance Office and the Presbyterian Hospital as of 2 p.m. on Monday.

“The whole town is in shock. This is the first time we are witnessing such an incident. People are living in fear, and we are pleading with the security agencies to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Assembly Member for Kugri appealed.

The injured individuals are receiving treatment for gunshot wounds at the Garu Presbyterian Hospital. Meanwhile, police have launched investigations into the incident to determine the motive behind the attack.

Earlier this month, an armed attack at the Gbintri inland checkpoint in the East Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region has reportedly left an Assistant Immigration Control Officer II (AICOII), Rafiq Mohammed, dead and another officer, AICOII Oppong Daniel, also injured.

While details of the attack remain unclear, reports suggest the incident took place at about 1:30 a.m. on Friday, October 3. However, AK-47 shell casings used by the attackers during the operation have been retrieved by the joint response team, led by Superintendent Francis Brobbey, Gambaga Municipal Police Commander, and DIS Moro Tanko Mohammed, North Regional Intelligence Officer of the GIS.

Meanwhile, AICOII Oppong Daniel is receiving treatment at the Baptist Medical Centre in Nalerigu after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in the incident.

In July this year, the lifeless body of an immigration officer identified as Stephen King Amoah, also known as Nana Kofi, was discovered in a drainage system near GBC Satellite, opposite Comet Estate, Accra.

The deceased is said to have gone missing five days (since July 3) before his tragic death. This was contained in a press statement by the Ghana Police Service on Thursday, July 10.

Providing more details about the tragic incident, the police noted that the murderer(s) of the 38-year-old also set his body on fire.

The deceased’s remains have been conveyed to the Police Hospital morgue after the relatives positively identified the body as Stephen.

The police have disclosed that their preliminary investigations indicate the deceased had gone to meet his debtor, one Bright Aweh, who had promised to pay the outstanding debt owed on Thursday, July 3, in the evening.

The victim never returned home that night, and his phone remained switched off throughout, raising concerns among family and friends who later reported him missing.

"Investigations revealed that on 3rd July 2025, at about 8:00 p.m., the deceased left his residence at Ashongman Estate after receiving WhatsApp images of cash bundles from one Bright Aweh, who requested to meet him at a spot at Ashongman Estate to settle an outstanding amount.

"According to the complainant, the deceased never returned home that night, and his phone remained switched off thereafter," the police said.

After the deceased’s family filed a complaint at the police station, Bright Aweh was arrested to assist with the investigation.

He admitted that he met with the deceased and alleged that he gave a cash of GHS500,000 to the deceased, instructing him "to use part of the money to pay off some debts and hold the remaining amount for later collection."

But the police in their statement noted that "the suspect could not clearly explain the source of the funds and gave conflicting statements.”

Meanwhile, the police pledged to get to the bottom of the case and ensure justice is served to the perpetrators.

"The Regional Police Command strongly condemns such violent and criminal acts and assures the public that it is working diligently to uncover the full circumstances surrounding this incident and bring all responsible persons to justice," it added.

Subsequently, the Ghana Police announced the arrest of the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of immigration officer Stephen King Amoah, also known as Nana Kofi on August 4.

This follows the discovery of weapons believed to have been used in the murder of Immigration Officer Stephen Amoah.

During a press briefing on Monday, August 4, the Director-General of the CID, COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, revealed that bloodstains were found in the living room, on a burnt, blood-soaked carpet, and on a fufu pestle suspected to have been used in the murder by the suspect.

According to the Police, the forensic conducted on Thursday, July 24, also exposed freshly sprayed walls, hinting at an attempted cleanup by the suspect.

"The Kwabenya Teshie Police visited the suspect's residence, and the forensic inspection revealed the following bloodstains in the living room and evidence of attempted cleanup, freshly sprayed walls, and an empty can of spray paint. A search of a secondary crime scene near the GBC satellite area also uncovered a burnt woolen carpet and partially burnt camouflage fabric."

"These items were photographed, retrieved and photocopied for forensic analysis. On 24th July, the police received a warrant to search a particular room in the suspect's house. A search in the room revealed more bloodstains, which were photographed and samples collected for forensic analysis. A further search in the bushes about 100 metres from the suspect's house also led to the retrieval of the..." the Police said.

The Service has noted that in the coming days, undertake a DNA exercise on the bloodstains with samples from the deceased mother and son, aiding with the process.

"I wish to say that the initial blood sample collected was positive for human blood. To aid the investigations, the deceased mother and son has provided sample for DNA profiling. In the face of these pieces of evidence the suspect who was initially charged with kidnapping has since been rearrested and formally charged with murder. He is currently on remand following his appearance with the Adabraka District Court and is scheduled to reappear on 8th August 2025.

"A special operation is currently underway to identify and arrest his accomplices and we are following other vital leads to gather all necessary evidence against the suspect and his accomplices. The Ghana Police Service wishes to assure the public that the investigations is ongoing and every effort is being made to ensure that all the perpetrators are prosecuted," she added.

Meanwhile, recent reports suggested that the third suspect involved in the murder of Stephen King Amoah, an Immigration Officer, has succumbed to an illness.

According to sources, the victim's brother, Kwasi Amoako, revealed this information to the media.

"Yesterday we went to court and I can confirm that the third suspect has passed on. I was told by the Police CID, the one who is in charge of the case. We thank God that our brother has started seeking justice for himself," he is quoted to have said by MyJoyOnline.

The police are yet to issue a formal statement on the suspect's death.

The Adabraka District Court on August 22, continued hearing the case after remanding the prime suspect into police custody for two weeks.

The court has adjourned the case involving the murder of immigration officer, Stephen King Amoah, to October 9 following the police’s request for more time to gather the due evidence against the accused parties.

The adjournment of the case was announced during the court hearing at the Adabraka District Court on Thursday, September 4, where the prosecutors prayed the court that the Ghana Police Service needed more time and specialised gadgets to advance investigations.

According to them, a court order had been secured to facilitate the process and prayed that the suspects, Bright Aweh and Thomas Ziggah, remain in custody.

However, Counsel for the suspects, Gordon Aboagye, expressed concerns about the state of his clients, who appeared visibly distressed, suggesting that they may have been held under harsh conditions while in custody.

Referring to the need to uphold democratic principles, he prayed that the court reveal the detention location of the suspects in order for their families to visit them and check their well-being while in custody.

“In line with democratic principles, families of the suspects should be aware of their location to enable visitation”

“My Lord, my client has appeared in court limping and with bloodshot eyes. He has already been treated twice at the Police Hospital without improvement. We respectfully request that he be sent to Korle Bu Teaching Hospital for independent medical attention,” he argued.

However, the prosecution objected, urging the defence to formally apply if it insists on the transfer of its client.

He further appealed to the bereaved family to remain calm and allow the law to take its course. He commiserated with them for their loss.

“We sympathise with the family of the deceased and plead with them to remain calm and allow the law to take its course,” he added.

The court, on the other hand, admonished the family of the bereaved family to stay patient, assuring them that justice would be duly served.

Meanwhile, a dramatic scene unfolded at the court when the aunt of the late officer performed rituals, breaking eggs and invoking curses on those she believes are responsible for his death.

She reportedly said, “Anyone responsible for his death should also suffer the same fate. All your generation will suffer the same fate; the gods should deal ruthlessly with anyone responsible for his murder. The gods shouldn’t spare anyone involved.”