(Photos) Police arrests 10 and retrieves 9 weapons ahead of Akwatia by-election

Police from the Eastern South Regional Command has stepped up efforts to maintain peace and order ahead of the Akwatia by-election by arresting 10 suspects in possession of weapons.

9 weapons were also retrieved by the police during separate operations as part of security measures keep the Eastern Regional town safe ahead of the by election.

“The weapons include eight pump-action guns and one locally manufactured single-barrel gun. These seizures form part of intensified efforts to prevent the unlawful possession and use of weapons during the electoral process.”

Police in a statement said:

“On 22nd August 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. 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.”