Police rescue kidnapped man after five days of torture, arrest four suspects

The Ghana Police Service has rescued a 30-year-old man, Bismarck Amo, who was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and subjected to extortion after a dispute over money.

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, while police have launched a manhunt for a senior military officer allegedly linked to the case and other accomplices who are still at large.

The dramatic rescue followed an intelligence-led operation by the Central North Regional Police Command, supported by personnel from the CID Headquarters, the Ashanti Regional Police Intelligence Department and other specialised units.

The operation, code-named “Operation Rescue the Victim and Arrest the Perpetrators,” was directly coordinated by the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, according to the police.

Four suspects arrested

Police identified the four suspects in custody as Mavis Badu Acheampong, 42, a teacher at Kumasi Girls Senior High School; Charles Doku, 53, a security guard; Oteng Baffour, 31, an electrician; and Kenneth Opoku Kwarteng, alias “Culture,” also a teacher at Kumasi Girls Senior High School.

The police said all four are currently assisting with investigations and are being processed for court.

How the alleged kidnapping unfolded

According to preliminary police investigations, the incident began after Amo allegedly defrauded Mavis Badu Acheampong of an unspecified amount of money.

Police said Acheampong subsequently allegedly connived with her husband, described as a senior military officer who is currently outside the country, to lure Amo from his residence in Assin Fosu to Kumasi.

Upon his arrival, police alleged that Amo was forcibly kidnapped with the assistance of Doku, Baffour and other accomplices who are currently at large.

Five days of alleged torture

Police said Amo was held hostage at a private residence belonging to Mavis Badu Acheampong from September 6 to September 11, 2026.

During the period, he was allegedly subjected to severe torture despite his family paying GH¢19,500 as ransom.

The police further alleged that the suspects used their own mobile phones to communicate with the victim’s family in an attempt to avoid detection and conceal their digital footprints.

‘They threatened to kill him’

The police account describes disturbing acts of alleged brutality against the victim.

According to the statement, Amo was stripped naked, tied with a nylon rope and brutally beaten, resulting in serious injuries to his head and genital area.

Police said the alleged attackers also recorded videos of the abuse and sent them to the victim’s family while demanding money.

The suspects allegedly demanded a total of GH¢45,000, which they claimed was meant to cover the amount they said Amo had defrauded and expenses incurred in locating him.

After receiving GH¢19,500 through mobile money transfers, the suspects allegedly demanded another GH¢30,500, threatening to kill Amo if the additional money was not paid.

Police launch rescue operation

The victim’s family reported the incident to the Regional CID in Assin Fosu on September 8, after paying the initial ransom but discovering that Amo was still being held.

Police said the rescue operation was immediately activated following the complaint.

On September 11, investigators reportedly closed in on the suspected kidnappers as they attempted to move Amo to another undisclosed location.

According to the police, the suspects instructed a driver to dump the victim by the roadside.

However, tactical police teams intercepted the operation and rescued Amo.

Victim found covered in blood

Police said Amo was found partially unconscious, covered in severe bruises and drenched in blood when officers rescued him.

He was immediately rushed to a medical facility, where he remains admitted under police escort and is receiving treatment for his physical injuries and psychological trauma.

Manhunt launched for military officer, other accomplices

While four suspects have been arrested, police said their investigation is far from over.

The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for the senior military officer allegedly involved in the incident, as well as other suspected accomplices who remain at large.

The police said the arrested suspects are being processed for court and will face the full rigours of the law.

Police issue stern warning

The Police Administration used the case to warn members of the public against taking the law into their own hands, regardless of the nature of a grievance or financial dispute.

The police stressed that kidnapping, torture and extortion are serious criminal offences and assured the public that its intelligence and specialised units would continue to pursue individuals involved in organised criminal activities.

The dramatic rescue of Bismarck Amo has once again highlighted the dangers of resolving financial disputes through violence, while the ongoing manhunt is expected to shed further light on the alleged network behind the kidnapping.

As investigations continue, police say further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.