Ghanaian security forces have made major strides in dismantling illegal arms trafficking networks, following a series of coordinated operations across multiple regions, including Ashanti, Central, Western, and Northern Ghana. The crackdown, which spanned from late April to mid-May 2025, has led to numerous arrests and the seizure of a large cache of weapons and military-grade equipment. In one of the most significant incidents, Yussif Mohammed, 25, was arrested on 8 May 2025 at the Asankare checkpoint in Southern Ashanti. Acting on suspicious behavior, officers searched his bag and uncovered 207 rounds of mixed ammunition (G3, CZ, AK-47, and BB), bulletproof vests, combat helmets, camouflage gear, ritual garments, and a substance believed to be Indian hemp.
Earlier, on 1 May, three suspects—Gaba Abdallah Alhassan, Alhassan–Abdallah, and Alhassan Abdul Kudus—were apprehended in Savelugu, Northern Region. The intelligence-led raid yielded an AK-47 rifle, submachine gun, Smith & Wesson pistol, shotgun, multiple magazines, and various rounds of ammunition. On 30 April, in Bowodie-Wassa Akropong (Western Region), security officials intercepted a Grand Bird bus, arresting Hakeem Imoro, Imoro Tahiru, and Nurideen Wahab. A submachine gun and 21 rounds of ammunition were discovered hidden in luggage. One suspect claimed he was safeguarding the weapon for an employer.
In another case on 16 May, two individuals—Yaw Adu and Samando Dokurugu, also known as “Shapichino”—were caught at the Ahenkro truck station in Northern Ashanti with a pump-action shotgun and three BB cartridges. Authorities suspect the pair may be involved in recent armed robberies in the area. Deputy Commissioner of Police Joseph Hammond Nyaaba commended the swift actions of law enforcement and affirmed that joint military-police operations would continue to root out arms trafficking and ensure public safety.
“These operations are part of our broader national security strategy to curb the circulation of illegal arms, reduce violent crime, and maintain peace,” Nyaaba said. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to help combat the spread of illicit weapons that threaten both community safety and national stability.
