Ghana Police Arrest Two Suspects in Kidnapping and Murder of Senegalese Goalkeeper Cheikh Touré

The Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of two primary suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Touré, nearly a year after his death in Kumasi. On September 20, 2026, police apprehended 32-year-old Salifu Walid and 24-year-old Aziz Wadrago Mane in the Ashanti Region. The arrests follow a prolonged investigation into the tragic events of October 2025, when the athlete was lured to Ghana under false pretenses and subsequently killed.

Investigations revealed a disturbing modus operandi used by the suspects. Walid and Mane were allegedly part of a four-member criminal syndicate that posed as professional football scouts. The group targeted aspiring footballers by offering non-existent career opportunities, luring them into the country for the purpose of fraud. Once the victims were under their control, the group resorted to more violent tactics. In the case of Cheikh Touré, the fraudulent scouting scheme evolved into a kidnapping that resulted in fatal injuries.

Details surrounding Touré’s death on October 16, 2025, paint a grim picture of the syndicate's actions. The goalkeeper was brought to Manhyia Hospital by individuals claiming to be his brothers, who falsely asserted that he had been involved in an accident. Medical examinations, however, revealed multiple severe abdominal injuries inconsistent with the suspects' claims. Touré was pronounced dead on arrival, and the individuals who brought him to the facility fled shortly thereafter. It has since been established that these individuals were members of the criminal group responsible for his abduction.

While the apprehension of Walid and Mane marks a significant breakthrough, the Ghana Police Service has confirmed that two additional suspects remain at large. Efforts to track down and arrest the remaining fugitives have been intensified as the two men in custody are processed for court. This case highlights the growing concern over fraudulent recruitment schemes in African football and serves as a call for increased vigilance among young athletes seeking international opportunities.