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Ho Mosque Capturing Incident: Police Release 14 Suspects from Custody

Introduction

Security and religious tensions have gripped the Volta Region of Ghana following a violent incident at the Ho Central Mosque. What began as a dispute over leadership access escalated into a shooting incident on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, leaving worshippers injured and the community on edge. In the wake of this violence, the Volta Regional Police Command has detained and subsequently released 14 suspects, a move that has sparked controversy and accusations of bias. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the events, the official responses from the Office of the Volta Regional Chief Imam and the Police, and the broader implications for religious conflict resolution and public safety in the region.

Key Points

Background

To understand the violence at the Ho Central Mosque, one must look at the administrative history of the region’s Islamic leadership. The conflict stems from a protracted dispute regarding the authority of the Volta Regional Chief Imam, Ali Muniru.

The Legitimacy Dispute

According to statements from the Office of the Volta Regional Chief Imam, Ali Muniru has received formal confirmation of his position from the National Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Nuhu Shaributu, based in Accra. Despite this top-level endorsement, a faction operating out of the Sabong Zango area has allegedly refused to recognize his authority.

This faction has reportedly maintained control over the Ho Central Mosque, preventing Chief Imam Muniru from accessing the facility. Instead of utilizing established Islamic legal channels to resolve the leadership dispute, the opposing group has allegedly resorted to intimidation and threats.

Escalation of Tensions

For months leading up to the Boxing Day incident, the Office of the Regional Chief Imam claims to have reached out to the Volta Regional Police Command. They sought police assistance to guarantee the Chief Imam’s safe and lawful entry to the mosque for worship. These appeals, according to the official statement issued by spokesman Chief Adamu Hamani on December 27, were largely ignored by law enforcement.

The situation reached a breaking point when the dispute turned physical and violent, resulting in a shooting incident that disrupted the sanctity of the place of worship and injured innocent bystanders.

Analysis

The aftermath of the Ho Central Mosque incident highlights the complex intersection of religious authority, community policing, and public trust. The narratives provided by the police and the Office of the Regional Chief Imam present a contrast in perspectives regarding the handling of the crisis.

Allegations of Police Partiality

The most significant criticism leveled against the security agencies comes from the Regional Chief Imam’s office. The statement released by Chief Adamu Hamani alleges that the violence was not a random act but the culmination of unchecked defiance by the faction at Sabong Zango.

Specifically, the office claims that the faction boasted of support from the Regional Police Command and other security agencies. Following the shooting, the office alleges that the police response was biased. They claim that while video evidence circulated on social media showing attacks on the Chief Imam’s family and supporters, the police chose to arrest individuals perceived to be aligned with Muniru, while ignoring the actions of the opposing faction.

Crime Scene Management

A major point of contention is the status of the Ho Central Mosque immediately following the violence. Standard police procedure in a shooting investigation involves cordoning off the area as a crime scene to preserve forensic evidence.

However, the statement alleges that the mosque was swiftly reopened and handed over to the opposing faction. The Chief Imam’s office argues that this rapid reopening undermined public confidence in the neutrality of the security response, suggesting that the police prioritized the comfort of the aggressors over the integrity of the investigation.

The Police Perspective

On the other side of the conflict, the Volta Regional Police Commander, DCOP Wisdom Akorli, has provided a summary of the police investigation. He confirmed that the incident was premeditated, based on initial findings. He emphasized that the police are conducting meticulous investigations and assured the public that the police service “would not take sides.”

Regarding the return of calm, DCOP Akorli noted that while the situation has stabilized, police personnel have been deployed to remain in the Zango area for an extended period to prevent further breaches of the peace.

Practical Advice

For communities facing similar religious or leadership disputes, and for individuals navigating the current situation in Ho, the following steps are recommended to ensure safety and adherence to the rule of law.

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

1. Adherence to Established Hierarchies: Religious disputes are best resolved within the doctrinal and administrative frameworks of the faith. In Islam, this means utilizing the National Chief Imam’s office to mediate and enforce rulings, rather than resorting to physical confrontation.

2. Legal Channels: If administrative disputes cannot be settled internally, civil litigation or formal petitions to state authorities are the appropriate channels. Violence only complicates legal standing and endangers lives.

Safety Measures for Civilians

1. Avoid Flashpoints: Residents of Sabong Zango and visitors to the area should avoid the immediate vicinity of the Ho Central Mosque until the police investigation is concluded and the leadership dispute is fully resolved.

2. Documentation: In the event of security encounters, citizens are advised to document interactions safely and legally. However, individuals should always prioritize personal safety over recording.

3. Reliance on Official Sources: Given the proliferation of unverified claims on social media, residents should rely on official press releases from the Ghana Police Service or verified statements from the National Chief Imam’s office for accurate information.

FAQ

Conclusion

The shooting incident at the Ho Central Mosque is a tragic reminder of how quickly administrative disagreements can escalate into violence when trust in mediation fails. The release of the 14 suspects has not closed the chapter but rather opened a new one regarding the neutrality of the security response. For the Volta Region to return to total peace, there is a pressing need for a transparent investigation that is perceived as fair by all parties. Ultimately, resolving the leadership impasse through the National Chief Imam’s office, combined with impartial policing, is the only path to restoring the sanctity of the mosque and the safety of the community.

Sources

• Office of the Volta Regional Chief Imam (Statement dated December 27, 2025).
• Volta Regional Police Command (Interview with DCOP Wisdom Akorli).
• Graphic Online (Reporting on suspect release and community status).