Police in Ghana's Ashanti Region have arrested two foreign nationals in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Touré. The suspects, a 32-year-old Nigerien national named Salifu Walid and a 24-year-old Burkinabè national named Aziz Wadrago Mane, were arrested on September 20, 2026, at a hideout in Banpanase, near Mamponteng. They are part of a four-man group suspected of orchestrating the kidnapping and killing of Touré, who died in Ghana in October 2025.
According to investigators, the group presented themselves as football scouting agents and used online platforms and personal contacts to lure unsuspecting footballers into Ghana with promises of professional opportunities abroad. Touré was reportedly brought into the country under one such promise before he was later found dead. The police investigation was triggered by the discovery of Touré's body at the Manhyia District Government Hospital on October 16, 2025.
The police records state that Touré's body was delivered to the hospital by unidentified men believed to be foreigners. The case has highlighted the risks faced by young African footballers who are targeted by people posing as agents or scouts, with promises of trials, contracts, or club placements that do not exist. Ghana has become one of several countries where such fraudulent football scouting schemes have been used to traffic and exploit aspiring young athletes.
Two other individuals have been linked to the case but remain at large. One, identified as Noukoubri Arzouma Sylviain, also known as Prince Pierre, is said to be on the run, while a fourth suspect has been identified only by the surname Barry. The police say efforts are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of Touré's death and to track down the remaining members of the group.
The case has raised concerns about the vulnerability of young African footballers who are desperate for a professional breakthrough. Such schemes can carry potentially fatal risks for footballers who travel abroad on the strength of unverified offers. The police investigation is continuing, with authorities working to determine the charges to be formally laid against Walid and Mane.
The sources do not specify the nationality or background of the victim's family or the progress of the investigation as provided to Senegalese authorities. It is also unclear whether Ghanaian authorities are coordinating with counterparts in Senegal, Niger, or Burkina Faso. The police have not disclosed a court date or further timeline for prosecution.
The arrest of Walid and Mane marks a significant development in the case, which has sparked widespread concern about the exploitation of young African footballers. The police investigation is ongoing, with authorities determined to bring all those responsible to justice. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and caution among young footballers who are seeking professional opportunities abroad.
Key points
- Two foreign nationals have been arrested in Ghana over the kidnapping and murder of Senegalese goalkeeper Cheikh Touré.
- The suspects are part of a four-man group suspected of orchestrating the kidnapping and killing of Touré.
- The case highlights the risks faced by young African footballers who are targeted by fraudulent football scouting schemes.
