A wave of alarm swept through Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti Region of Ghana after unverified claims circulated online that 11 schoolchildren had been kidnapped. However, the Ashanti Region police have clarified that only two pupils of Happy Royal International School are involved in an alleged child-stealing case. Superintendent Kingsley Kawodie, the Airport District Police Commander, confirmed that investigations are underway into the incident.
According to Superintendent Kawodie, the case was reported to police on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in the Manhyia North Constituency of the Ashanti Region. He emphasized that the widely shared reports claiming 11 pupils had been kidnapped had not been confirmed by the police. The police are currently investigating a case of child stealing involving only two children.
The Headmaster of Happy Royal International School, Francis Koomson, stated that he only became aware of the incident at around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, by which point the case had already been reported to police. Koomson said the school does not yet have first-hand information on what exactly happened to the two pupils and is relying on updates from the police as the investigation continues.
Koomson used the opportunity to urge parents, schoolchildren, and members of the public to exercise caution, particularly when traveling during the early hours of the day. He stressed that the incident should serve as a reminder for the public to remain vigilant about their safety. Reports of missing or kidnapped children spread quickly on social media in Ghana, often outpacing official confirmation.
The gap between the viral claim of 11 kidnapped pupils and the police-confirmed figure of two underscores how unverified information can escalate public fear. The underlying case — an alleged child-stealing incident — remains serious in its own right. Police have not disclosed the identities, ages, or circumstances surrounding the two pupils said to be involved.
No timeline has been given for when the investigation is expected to conclude or when further information will be released to the public. Under Ghanaian law, child stealing generally refers to the unlawful taking or detaining of a minor without the consent of a parent or lawful guardian. Investigators often have to establish the exact circumstances before determining which specific charges apply.
The police have confirmed that they are investigating the alleged child-stealing incident, and the school is cooperating with the authorities. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of pupils traveling to and from school, particularly those who move around before dawn or after dusk. The police are expected to provide updates on the investigation as more information becomes available.
Key points
- Only two pupils of Happy Royal International School are involved in an alleged child-stealing case in Asokore Mampong.
- The incident was reported to police on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
- The police are still investigating the case and have not disclosed further details about the pupils or suspects.
