Northern Police arrest two suspects in Yidani chief murder investigation

The Northern Regional Police Command has made significant progress in investigating the fatal shooting of Yidani's enskinned chief, Naa Ntimla Nwenisim, and his son, Ntimla Bilaga, with the arrest of two suspects believed to be connected to the crime.

The chief and his son were killed in a brazen attack on their residence in the early morning of August 14, 2026. According to police accounts, three unidentified armed men forcibly entered the chief's compound around 3:00am, demanding directions to his sleeping quarters before opening fire. The bodies were discovered with multiple gunshot wounds, and a post-mortem examination at Tamale Teaching Hospital confirmed both men died from shotgun injuries and haemorrhagic shock. Five empty cartridges were recovered from the scene.

The arrest and investigation breakthrough

Following the killings, the Inspector-General of Police deployed a specialised operations team to the region whilst patrols were intensified throughout Yidani and surrounding areas. The breakthrough came on August 26 when credible intelligence indicated two suspects were travelling from Dombine towards Chereponi. Police officers stationed in Chereponi intercepted the men before they could proceed further.

The suspects, identified as 25-year-old Majejiba Magne and 34-year-old Haruna Nlegle, were transferred to the Yendi Divisional Command on August 27 and remain in custody. According to Northern Regional Police Commander DCOP Wisdom Lavoe, both men are assisting with ongoing investigations into the circumstances of the deaths.

Why it matters for Ghana

The murder of a chief represents a serious breach of traditional authority and community stability, particularly in northern Ghana where chieftaincy institutions remain central to social order and dispute resolution. Killings of this nature can spark broader tensions within communities and potentially trigger cycles of retaliation if not swiftly and fairly addressed through the justice system.

The police response demonstrates the commitment of security forces to investigate high-profile crimes in rural areas, though questions about motive and whether all perpetrators have been identified remain. DCOP Lavoe has warned residents against taking vigilante justice, emphasising that the state will prosecute anyone found culpable. He has also appealed for public cooperation, urging communities in Yidani, Dombine, Gushegu, Chereponi and neighbouring areas to provide intelligence that could assist investigators identify any additional suspects involved in the attack.

As investigations continue, the case highlights ongoing security challenges in parts of the Northern Region and the importance of swift law enforcement action in maintaining public confidence in institutions and preventing community-level conflict.