Kidnapped Man Pleads for Life as Captors Demand Increased Ransom

Assin fosu: A desperate family at Assin Fosu in the Fosu Municipality of the Central Region is racing against time to save the life of 30-year-old Bismark Amoh, who had been held captive by suspected kidnappers and subjected to brutal physical abuse.

According to Ghana News Agency, the victim was abducted on Sunday, September 6, 2026, and had spent more than 48 hours in captivity, with his captors repeatedly threatening to kill him unless his family paid a ransom. The kidnappers initially demanded GHS45,000 and gave the family a 24-hour ultimatum.

What has particularly heightened fears for Mr. Amoh's life are disturbing audio and video recordings sent to his relatives through WhatsApp by the kidnappers. In the recordings, the victim was seen and heard pleading desperately for his life and calling on his family to raise the money immediately.

Details emerging from the recordings obtained by the GNA showed the victim stripped naked and tied with ropes around his hands, legs, and neck, leaving him restrained and at the mercy of his captors. He was also seen being forced to lay or wallow in water poured onto the floor while his abductors beat him with ropes. At various points, the victim could be heard crying for help as the perpetrators slapped and struck him from different directions.

The brutality has transformed what began as a ransom demand into a desperate race against time for the victim's survival. Investigations by the GNA suggested that the kidnappers were using Mr. Amoh's own mobile phone to communicate with his family through WhatsApp, in their attempt to conceal their identities and prevent digital traces that could lead investigators to them.

Faced with the threat of losing their relative, the family had turned to friends, relatives, and other well-wishers for assistance and had managed to mobilize GHS19,500, which was subsequently sent to the kidnappers. The family apparently hoped the payment would lead to his immediate release, but instead, one of the kidnappers was heard demanding GHS30,500 to bring the total amount to GHS50,000. A woman's voice is heard in the background, accusing Bismark of allegedly defrauding the people involved in his detention, hence, his arrest, subsequent maltreatment, and the demand for the money.