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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [CRIME]

2 clusters · 9 sources · 4 days · First seen · Last updated

Poaching fatality in Kakum Forest Reserve

Overview

On August 21 or 22, 2026, Richard Otwey, a 58-year-old wildlife resource guard with the Forestry Commission, was shot and killed during a patrol in the Assin Kruwa section of the Kakum Forest Reserve in Ghana.

Reports indicate that the patrol team, which was conducting a three-day anti-poaching mission, encountered two men, identified as Bukari Abudu and John Mensah, who were allegedly hunting illegally. When the officers ordered the suspects to surrender, a pursuit ensued. During the encounter, Abudu allegedly used a single-barrel gun to shoot Otwey in the chest, killing him at the scene.

Authorities apprehended John Mensah, while Bukari Abudu remains at large. Police recovered a single-barrel gun, footprints, and a spent cartridge from the site. This incident marks the third time a Wildlife Division staff member has been killed or shot by poachers in 2026.

Entities

John Mensah · Forestry Commission · Bukari Abudu · Richard Otwey · Kakum Forest Reserve

Timeline

  1. 2 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    Kakum National Park ranger shot dead by suspected poachers

    Senior Ranger Richard Otwey was shot dead by suspected poachers while on an anti-poaching patrol in Ghana's Kakum National Park. One suspect is in custody while another remains at large.

  2. 5 days ago

    [CRIME] 8 sources
    Kakum Forest Reserve guard shot dead by suspected poacher

    A 58-year-old wildlife guard, Richard Otwey, was shot dead by a suspected poacher during a patrol in Ghana's Kakum Forest Reserve. One suspect is in custody while another remains at large.

Sources

abcnewsgh.com · chale.news · dailyguidenetwork.com · ghanaguardian.com · gharticles.com · myjoyonline.com · myrepubliconline.com · onuaonline.com · theghanareport.com