The family of 39-year-old Norbert Anamzoya Akupa has called for justice following his gruesome killing in the Sherigu forest in the Bolgatanga Municipality in the Upper East region.
The call was made at a press conference addressed by Agana Bawa Rashid on behalf of the family after the burial of the deceased at Tindonmolgo, a suburb of Bolgatanga. The press engagement followed an emotional burial procession, where a long convoy of mourners accompanied the body from the Upper East Regional Hospital morgue to the family’s house.
Speaking to the media, Mr Agana said the family was devastated and struggling to understand why Norbert was killed in what they described as a “cruel, barbaric, and inhuman manner.”
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic loss of our brother Norbert Anamzoya. We do appreciate that death is inevitable, but the gruesome, cruel, barbaric, and inhuman manner in which he was murdered is unacceptable in any civilized society, and no sane family would ever wish to witness such for a family member.”
According to the family, information gathered so far suggests that the killing was deliberate and well planned. The family alleged that Norbert was invited on the night of 30th January 2026 by some unidentified persons believed to be police officers to assist in an ongoing case.
“Norbert, per information gathered, was alleged to have been invited by some unidentified police officers to assist them in a case they were dealing with. Norbert was supposed to meet those officers somewhere to render or assist in what they needed him for. Norbert’s phone went dead after about 45 minutes following his decision to meet the alleged police officers. We can state categorically that the last time he was seen was when he decided to go and meet those alleged police officers,” the family stated.
The family believes Norbert was abducted after the meeting and later killed. His lifeless body was found the next morning by the roadside in the Sherigu forest by early morning commuters.
“At the scene, fifteen (15) AK-47 bullets and nine (9) short gun bullets were retrieved as confirmed by the investigators, in all 24 bullets. An alleged police face mask was left at the scene after the gruesome murder as a signal and communication sign to whom it may concern. His motorcycle was lying by him, phones and his everything intact with his lifeless body,” the family spokesperson stated. “One bullet was enough to kill him, so why 24 if this was not a calculated execution?”
“These facts make it difficult for us to believe this was a robbery,” he said. “Everything points to a targeted killing.”
Mr Agana stressed that even if Norbert had been suspected of any wrongdoing, the law required that he be arrested and charged, not abducted and killed.
“Ghana is governed by the rule of law,” he said. “Even hardened criminals are arrested and tried in court. Our brother had no criminal record and deserved the protection of the law.”
The family also rejected allegations circulating on social media that Norbert was involved in criminal activities.
“We wish to take this opportunity to dispel this wild allegation that he bills criminals at the police station when they are arrested; that is a fallacy and a calculated attempt to give a dog a bad name and hang it. In any case, granted that it is so, which is not the case, who grants the bill, is it not the same police, even the law courts grant a bill, so should we say that the lawyers who seek a bill for alleged criminals are criminals, what kind of logic is that,” Mr Agana rebutted.
The family is demanding a full-scale, transparent investigation into the killing and wants the perpetrators identified and prosecuted.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in view of the foregoing, the family demands a full-scale investigation with a view to unraveling the circumstances surrounding the death of our son to ensure that justice is served. We are of the believe that the police know, and by standard security practice, they should be able to identify the bullets used and the security agency that uses those bullets. We expect to see a high-level professionalism and transparency in their investigations. The family is ever ready to cooperate and assist the police in their investigations,” he said.
When contacted for a response to the allegations leveled against officers of the Ghana Police Service, the Upper East Regional Police Command declined to comment on the matter. The Command, however, confirmed that investigations are ongoing and said it would not speak on the issue at this stage.
That notwithstanding, the family said their resolve for justice remains firm.
“To the killers, we know they killed an innocent soul, and they should know that they have succeeded in killing Norbert, but the spirit of Norbert, together with us, will fight those who did that because there are thousands of Norberts in the family”.
A1 Radio | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah | Tindonmolgo
