Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak has disclosed that Alhaji Abdul-Latif Copshe, a prime suspect in the 2024 election-related shooting incident at Nyankpala in the Tolon Constituency, was declared winner of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Constituency Youth Organiser election despite being wanted by the police.
According to the Minister, Mr Copshe has been linked to the December 7, 2024 incident, which resulted in the death of one person and left several others injured.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Monday, August 24, 2026, Mr Muntaka said the incident followed a confrontation over alleged vote-buying, which later escalated into a shooting.
He said armed men allegedly opened fire indiscriminately, including at an NDC pavilion, resulting in the death of Sayibu Haruna and injuries to several others.
The Interior Minister said investigations established that Mr Copshe had left the community following the incident and remained at large, yet nomination forms were subsequently obtained on his behalf for the NPP’s internal election.
“The prime suspects in that matter are Alhaji Abdul Latif Copshe and one Sankara. Efforts to apprehend the suspects who, since the incident, have relocated from the community, are yet to be successful,” he said.
Mr Muntaka said despite Mr Copshe’s absence, he was allowed to contest the Constituency Youth Organiser position unopposed and was eventually declared the winner.
“It has been established, however, that despite his absence from the community, forms were picked for suspect Alhaji Abdul-Latif Copshe to contest unopposed in the New Patriotic Party’s internal election as the Constituency Youth Organiser. He was declared the winner in the said election and retained as the Constituency Youth Organiser,” he added.
The Minister further disclosed that police investigators had recovered three suspected pistols and one CZ rifle in connection with the Nyankpala shooting.
He said forensic analysis showed that one of the pistols had been used to fire three spent shells recovered from the scene.
“Efforts are continuing to monitor and arrest the suspects,” Mr Muntaka said.
Mr Muntaka also provided an update on investigations into the December 7, 2020 shooting at the Odorkor Police Church collation centre in the Ablekuma Central Constituency.
The incident claimed the life of Abass Ibrahim and left five others injured.
According to the Minister, the main suspect remains an unidentified soldier who was captured on video firing a weapon during the incident.
Another suspect, Collins Quarcoo, alias Kola, was identified during investigations into one of the injured victims, Pius Asiedu Kwanin.
Mr Muntaka said the Military High Command released four soldiers on August 4, 2025, to facilitate investigations. The soldiers confirmed that they were present at the scene but denied knowing the individual captured in the footage.
He said the identity of the soldier seen in the video had consequently not been established.
The Minister added that Mr Quarcoo, alias Kola, had been charged with causing harm and using an offensive weapon and was arraigned before Circuit Court 4 in Accra.
Investigations into both incidents, including efforts to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects, are ongoing.
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