Two Men Arrested After Female 'Pragia' Rider Allegedly Murdered for Her Tricycle in Bono East

Two young men are in police custody after a female tricycle rider was allegedly murdered and her vehicle stolen in a shocking crime that has drawn attention to the safety risks faced by commercial riders across Ghana. The Ghana Police Service confirmed the arrests of Peter Nchor Asadigina, 21, and Mudasel Dramani, 19, following a tip-off that led officers to the pair in Hansua on Friday, 30th October 2026.

What happened at Afrancho

According to preliminary police investigations, the two suspects hired the services of the deceased at the Ampabame Lorry Station in Kumasi on 29th October, requesting to be transported to Afrancho, near Konkoli, in the Trede District of Bono East Region. Once they arrived at their destination, the suspects allegedly turned on the woman, attacked and killed her, then fled with her green Bajaj tricycle — locally known as a 'pragia' — apparently intending to use it for commercial transport activities.

Police tracked the men as they were travelling in the direction of Techiman, suggesting they planned to blend into that area's busy commercial transport scene with the stolen vehicle. Their arrest was swift, coming just a day after the alleged killing, following a community tip-off that proved crucial to the investigation.

A thorough search following the arrests yielded a significant haul of items. Officers recovered a vehicle number plate bearing registration number M-26-AE 2047, eight mobile phones — including an iPhone 12 Pro believed to belong to the deceased — three SIM cards, an MTN MiFi device, a bunch of keys, two lighters, and a jackknife cover. The body of the deceased has been deposited at a mortuary for preservation and an autopsy to establish the precise cause of death.

Why it matters for Ghana

This case puts a painful spotlight on the dangers confronting commercial tricycle riders — a growing segment of Ghana's informal transport workforce, particularly in peri-urban and rural communities where tricycles have become a vital and affordable means of moving people and goods. Women who operate within this space face compounded vulnerabilities, often working long hours and transporting strangers with limited means of verifying intentions or summoning help quickly.

The Bono East and Ashanti regions, like much of Ghana, have seen tricycle transport expand rapidly in recent years, filling gaps left by conventional taxis and trotros on roads that larger vehicles struggle to navigate. Yet the regulatory and safety frameworks surrounding tricycle operations have not always kept pace with this growth. Riders frequently work without adequate insurance, organised support networks, or reliable communication tools to alert others in case of danger.

The alleged use of multiple SIM cards and mobile phones recovered from the suspects also raises questions about how criminal actors may be adapting to exploit the informal nature of the tricycle transport sector, potentially using different numbers to avoid detection after committing crimes.

Investigation ongoing

Both suspects remain in police custody and are actively assisting investigators as the Ghana Police Service works to establish the full circumstances surrounding the killing. It is expected that they will be charged formally once the autopsy results are available and the investigation is concluded.

The case serves as a grim reminder of the need for stronger safety mechanisms for commercial riders across the country — whether that involves organised rider associations, improved street lighting, designated pick-up points, or digital platforms that log passenger details before a journey begins. Advocacy groups and transport unions may find renewed urgency to push these conversations forward in the wake of this tragedy.