A disturbing shooting incident marred the Ho Central Mosque on Friday, December 26, 2025, when masked gunmen stormed the sacred place of worship and opened fire on an Islamic congregation preparing for Juma prayers. The attack resulted in injuries to approximately 11 people, casting a shadow of violence and fear over the community.

The National Chief Imam, Shaikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, vehemently condemned the incident, describing it as a "grave violation of Islamic values" and a "serious threat to national security." In a statement issued on December 29, he expressed profound disgust that the violence involved Muslims attacking fellow Muslims within a mosque. He characterized the shooting as "an affront to Islamic sanctity, a deviation from basic civility, a tribute to outright impunity, and a serious threat to national security."

According to the National Chief Imam, the gun violence originated from an ongoing and protracted dispute over the Volta Regional Imamship between Shaikh Ali Muniru and Shaikh Anas. Shaikh Dr Sharubutu reaffirmed Shaikh Muniru as the legitimate Volta Regional Imam, with Shaikh Anas serving as his Deputy, emphasizing that Muniru's selection was the result of extensive consultations and mediation, not imposition. He questioned why a matter he considered resolved continued to incite violence and division within the Muslim community, urging both leaders, whom he referred to as his "children," to demonstrate unity, solidarity, and cordiality.

The Office of the Volta Regional Chief Imam, Ali Muniru, also issued a statement on December 27, condemning the Boxing Day shooting. The statement, signed by Chief Adamu Hamani, spokesman for the Regional Chief Imam, asserted that the tragic event was a consequence of deliberate and prolonged obstruction to Shaikh Muniru's lawful authority by a faction at the Sabong Zango. Despite Shaikh Muniru's recent affirmation by the National Chief Imam, this faction had persistently resorted to threats, intimidation, and violence to prevent him from accessing the Ho Central Mosque, bypassing lawful Islamic processes.

The Volta Regional Chief Imam's office further alleged that repeated appeals to the Volta Regional Police Command for assistance in ensuring Shaikh Muniru's safe access to the mosque were ignored. The statement also expressed concerns over the conduct of security agencies following the shooting, claiming that despite widespread video evidence of attacks on Shaikh Muniru's family and supporters, the police "arrested people perceived to be aligned with the Regional Chief Imam, while turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed against him." Additionally, it was claimed that the Ho Central Mosque, declared a crime scene, was swiftly reopened and made available to the opposing faction, undermining public confidence in the neutrality of the security response. This perceived bias has reportedly heightened fear in the Zango, leading some individuals to flee.

When contacted, Volta Regional Police Commander DCOP Wisdom Akorli confirmed that preliminary investigations indicated the incident was premeditated. He assured the public that meticulous investigations were ongoing and that the police would not take sides in the matter. Although calm has returned to the Zango, police presence would be maintained to ensure peace. It has been reported that all 14 suspects initially arrested and sent to the Police Headquarters in Accra for interrogation have since been released.

In response to the gravity of the situation, the Volta Regional Security Council (REGSEC) convened an emergency meeting. The Volta Regional Minister and Chairman of REGSEC, James Gunu, pledged careful deliberation to resolve the protracted chief imamship impasse and restore peace within the Muslim community. The National Chief Imam concluded his statement by appealing to the Ghana Police Service to act with fairness and impartiality, warning that selective justice would amount to injustice. He also called on followers of both factions to remain law-abiding and peace-loving, in accordance with Islamic teachings, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, quoting Quran 49:10: “The believers are brothers. So, make reconciliation between your brothers. And fear Allah, so that you may receive mercy.”