A police brief issued on Tuesday said at about 1230 hours, personnel from the National Police Intelligence Directorate (NPID), Accra, in collaboration with their counterparts in the Upper East Region, apprehended the 33-year-old suspect during a joint intelligence-led operation.
He was arrested at his hideout at Polego, a suburb of Bolgatanga.
The brief said the suspect and his accomplices, who were yet to be arrested, had been on the police wanted list for allegedly attacking officers at the Kariminga Police Barrier.
During the incident, General Constable Seth Oppong-Damoah was shot dead, while General Corporals Nyanku Charles and Abu Moro sustained fatal injuries.
The brief said Abdul-Aziz had been identified as a warrior for one of the feuding factions in the Bawku conflict.
A search conducted on three mobile phones retrieved from the suspect suggested that he and others, still at large, had actively participated in the protracted Bawku conflict and were allegedly involved in multiple killings.
Further examination of the phones reportedly revealed that Abdul-Aziz belonged to a WhatsApp group named: “Trusted Friends,” which displayed the image of Alhaji Seidu Abagri, a rival chief in the Bawku chieftaincy dispute, as its profile picture.
The group was said to be mainly patronised by members of the Mamprusi and Moshie communities.
Police said the suspect was seen in a video displaying a number of AK-47 assault rifles in a sack and pistols at a location believed to be in Bawku.
He was also captured in an audio message allegedly requesting more arms and ammunition to enable the Mamprusis defeat the Kusaasis in the ongoing conflict.
Information available to the police further indicated that the suspect and another individual, identified only as Mark, currently at large, were believed to be behind the importation of weapons and ammunition into Bawku.
The brief added that on December 29, 2025, the suspect and his accomplices allegedly planned and launched the attack on officers performing their lawful duties at the Kariminga Barrier.
Police said Abdul-Aziz went into hiding after the incident but was later traced to his hideout and arrested.
GNA
