A joint security operation in Sampa Township in the Bono Region has resulted in the arrest of 24 suspects and the retrieval of a cache of weapons, police have confirmed.
The exercise, carried out in the early hours of Saturday, 21 March 2026, was conducted by the Bono Regional Police Command in collaboration with the 3rd Infantry Battalion (3BN) and the Bureau of National Intelligence, following intelligence reports on the proliferation of illegal arms in the area.
In a statement issued by the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the command said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activity and remove illegal weapons from circulation.
A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of five pump-action guns, one Baikal gun and two locally manufactured firearms.
Security personnel also retrieved 790 rounds of AAA and BB cartridges, one AK-47 round, and several offensive weapons including machetes, bayonets, knives and clubs.
Other items seized include military-style uniforms, body armour, boots, as well as mobile phones comprising both smartphones and keypad devices.
The security team further impounded eight motorbikes, a tricycle and assorted tools. A quantity of talisman believed to be linked to local belief systems was also retrieved.
Police additionally reported the discovery of an official stamp bearing the inscription “Nana Samgba Gyafla II, President, Sampa Traditional Council,” which is expected to aid ongoing investigations.
The 24 suspects, aged between 13 and 78, are currently in police custody assisting with investigations. Two of the suspects, identified as Sie Emmanuel and Mensah Kofi Emmanuel, were arrested for allegedly breaching curfew regulations.
Police say steps are being taken to process the suspects for court.
The Bono Regional Police Command has urged residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support efforts to combat illegal arms possession and related crimes.
The command reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order in the region through continued collaboration with other security agencies.
