Two relatives shot dead in Sakumono over GH¢500,000 debt as police hunt gunman

A shocking double killing has shaken the NTHC Estate community in Sakumono, Greater Accra, after a 57-year-old man and his 47-year-old niece were allegedly shot dead during a heated confrontation over a GH¢500,000 debt. The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for the prime suspect as the nation reacts with alarm to what appears to be one of the most violent debt-related incidents in recent memory in the capital.

What happened in Sakumono

The two victims, identified as George Atuguba and Irene Atuguba, were found lying in pools of blood at their residence. According to a statement issued by the Accra Regional Police Command, officers were deployed to the scene following information passed through the Sakumono District Police Command.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a man identified as Samuel Christopher Osei Anto visited the home on the morning of the incident to demand repayment of a GH¢500,000 debt he claimed George Atuguba owed him. Anto was reportedly accompanied by a woman named Beatrice Mumuni during the visit.

A misunderstanding allegedly broke out between the parties, during which the suspect is said to have opened fire, fatally shooting both George and Irene Atuguba. The two victims were rushed to a hospital but were pronounced dead by a medical officer on arrival. Their remains have since been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

As of the time of this report, the suspect remains at large. The Accra Regional Police Command has confirmed that efforts to arrest Samuel Christopher Osei Anto are actively underway, and investigators are working to establish the full circumstances of the killings.

Why it matters for Ghana

This tragic incident puts a spotlight on the increasingly dangerous consequences of personal financial disputes in Ghana — and the broader question of how such conflicts can escalate to lethal violence. A debt of GH¢500,000 is a substantial sum, and the alleged decision to resolve it through violence rather than legal or mediation channels underscores a troubling pattern that law enforcement and community leaders have previously warned about.

Ghana's legal system provides clear civil remedies for debt recovery, including court-issued orders and debt enforcement mechanisms. Experts and civil society voices have long advocated for greater public awareness of these channels, particularly as economic pressures mount on households and businesses across the country. The fact that a woman, Irene Atuguba, lost her life despite not being a direct party to the financial dispute makes this case even more disturbing.

For residents of Sakumono and surrounding areas, the killings have raised understandable fears about personal safety, particularly when financial tensions spill into domestic spaces. Community policing initiatives and rapid-response capabilities of district police commands will likely come under scrutiny in the days ahead.

Investigation ongoing — police urge public cooperation

The Accra Regional Police Command has appealed for calm while assuring the public that investigators are committed to bringing the perpetrator to justice swiftly. Autopsies on the bodies of George and Irene Atuguba are expected to provide further forensic evidence to support the prosecution once the suspect is apprehended.

• Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Samuel Christopher Osei Anto is urged to contact the nearest police station or call the Police emergency line.
• Beatrice Mumuni, who reportedly accompanied the suspect, may also be of interest to investigators as a potential witness or accomplice.
• The Police Hospital mortuary is handling the remains pending the outcome of the autopsy and formal identification processes.

GH Today will continue to follow this story as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.