24 arrested as joint operation recovers weapons in Sampa

A joint police-military intelligence operation in Sampa has led to the arrest of 24 suspects and the retrieval of assorted weapons.

The Bono Regional Police Command, together with the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3BN) and the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI), carried out the intelligence-led exercise in the early hours of March 21, 2026, as part of efforts to clamp down on criminal activity in the area.

According to a statement signed by Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the operation targeted the proliferation of illegal weapons and the presence of suspected criminal elements within the Sampa Township.

“The security apparatus of the region, in its quest to get rid of weapons and criminal elements, embarked on this tactical operation,” the statement noted.

The operation resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of items, including five pump action guns, one baikal gun, and two locally manufactured firearms. Authorities also retrieved 790 rounds of AAA and BB cartridges, machetes, bayonets, knives, and clubs.

Other items seized included military-style clothing, black and desert boots, mobile phones, motorbikes, and what police described as talismans. An official stamp bearing the inscription “Nana Samgba Gyafla II President Sampa Traditional Council” was also among the exhibits.

Police identified all 24 suspects, whose ages range from 13 to 78 years. Among them, Sie Emmanuel and Mensah Kofi Emmanuel were specifically arrested for breaching curfew regulations.

“The suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations, and efforts are underway to prepare them to face prosecution,” Chief Inspector Akeelah stated.

The Command emphasized that the operation forms part of sustained measures to improve safety in the region and disrupt illegal arms circulation.

It further appealed to residents to support ongoing security efforts.

“We urge the general public to continue to assist the Police with credible information that can lead to the arrest of persons in possession of unlawful weapons,” the statement added.