Bono Regional Police arrest eight suspects for sakawa initiation assault

The Bono Regional Police Command has arrested eight suspects in connection with the physical assault of a 21-year-old man during an alleged initiation into internet fraud, popularly known as "sakawa." The incident occurred on October 4, 2026, in Kotokrom, located within the Sunyani West Municipality. The victim, identified as Godstime Umukoro, was reportedly subjected to a severe beating as a ritualized entry into the fraudulent enterprise.

According to police reports, officers responded to a distress call from the community and arrived at the scene to find Umukoro with visible marks of assault across his body. Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly specialized in online scams, luring unsuspecting victims by impersonating foreign military personnel. The suspects defended their actions during interrogation, claiming that the physical abuse was a mandatory initiation requirement they had all undergone themselves. They identified their leader, or "chairman," as Nwachukwu King Augustine, who reportedly oversaw these violent induction processes.

The Bono Regional Police Command commended the residents of Kotokrom for their prompt intervention and for alerting the authorities, which likely prevented further harm to the victim. Police officials emphasized the importance of community vigilance in identifying and reporting suspicious activities, particularly those involving "sakawa" operations that often escalate into violence or other criminal acts. The eight suspects remain in custody, and while their statements have been recorded, the allegations against them have yet to be tested in a court of law.