A notorious serial killer in Ghana faces life imprisonment with hard labor after confessing to the murders of 23 people. Shariff Abdullai, also known as Christos, targeted vulnerable night watchmen and individuals with intellectual disabilities using a sharp cutlass.
Details of the Grisly Crimes
The killings, which began as early as 2021, occurred across northern and western Ghana. Abdullai preyed on isolated security guards working overnight shifts and people described as ‘mentally challenged.’ Police statements confirm he admitted to slaying three such men and two watchmen in Bole, a town in northern Ghana. He further confessed to killing 15 people in Wa, in western Ghana, along with additional victims including one man and one woman.
Modus Operandi and Evidence
Abdullai carried victims on his shoulder to remote bushes, where he buried them unnoticed. Authorities discovered a cutlass with specially designed edges at his hideout, alongside a bicycle and a sack containing meat. These findings solidified the case against him.
Arrest and Sentencing
Security forces ended the spree through a sustained intelligence-led operation, apprehending Abdullai on October 6, 2025. Despite his guilty plea, the full extent of his motives remains unclear, particularly his focus on watchmen and those with disabilities.
Abdullai now serves his sentence at Nsawam Medium Security Prison, located 20 kilometers north of Accra. His crimes mark him as one of Africa’s most deadly killers in the 21st century, leaving a lasting impact on communities in Ghana.
