Ghana: Police Arrest 10 Suspects, Retrieve 9 Weapons Ahead Of Akwatia By-election

The Eastern Regional Police Command in Ghana has arrested 10 suspects and retrieved nine weapons in separate operations at Akwatia as part of ongoing security operations ahead of the Election Rerun in the Eastern Regional town, the Ghana Police Service has announced in a statement. 

According to the statement, the weapons include eight pump-action guns and one locally manufactured single-barrel gun.

The statement added that “These seizures form part of intensified efforts to prevent the unlawful possession and use of weapons during the electoral process.”

It says on August 22, 2025, near St. Dominic Hospital in Akwatia, Police intercepted a vehicle driven by suspect Bernard Kumi Ofosu, and a search led to the discovery of one Tulpar double-barrel pump-action gun, four AAA live cartridges, and two FTB blank cartridges, adding that “the suspect admitted ownership of the firearm and produced a valid license. He is currently in custody assisting investigations, with the exhibits retained for verification.”

In a separate operation at the Akwatia Y-Junction snap check, Police arrested suspect Joshua Amenuku after retrieving 15 live BB cartridges from him. A subsequent search at his residence uncovered one ADLER TULPA pump-action gun and five additional live BB cartridges.

Later that evening, Police intercepted a Toyota Hilux pick-up at the Boadua Livingstone snap check point and arrested suspects Enoch Asiedu, and Lu Youyan, a Chinese national, after four live BB cartridges were retrieved from the vehicle. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the ammunition allegedly belonged to their employer, one Mohammed, identified as the owner of the vehicle. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest suspect Mohammed for interrogation, while the two suspects remain in custody assisting investigations.

On 23rd August 2025, Police officers on duty at the Boadua Livingstone Junction snap check point again arrested suspect Pieterson Joseph, after retrieving one (1) ADLER TULPAR pump-action gun and 46 AAA and BB cartridges from his vehicle. The suspect admitted ownership of the firearm.

On 23/08/2025, officers on snap-check duty at Staff Village Boadua, intercepted a Toyota Tundra pick-up with registration no WR 5535-13 from the Asamankese direction towards Boadua. A search conducted in the Tundra pick up revealed the three pump-action guns, including (1) Pardus pump-action gun, one (1) Hulglu Atroe pump-action and one (1) other pump-action gun. Suspect Stephen Nkansah claimed ownership of two of the Pump Action guns and stated that, the third Pump Action gun belongs to his chief. Meanwhile, suspect Stephen Nkansah has been arrested and detained for investigation

The Eastern South Regional Police Command assures the public and all stakeholders that these operations will be intensified as part of efforts to ensuring security, law and order before, during, and after the Akwatia By-Election.