Nine men have been remanded into police custody by Circuit Court, presided over by Her Honour Evelyn Asamoah, over alleged possession of firearms without lawful authority and preparation to commit a violent crime, following a joint security operation in Bawku’s Zaabu Zongo.
The accused, aged between 17 and 37, were arrested on August 5, 2025, during a cordon-and-search exercise conducted by the Joint Peace Enforcement team in the conflict-prone area.
They face charges of;
Possession of firearms without lawful authority, contrary to the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), as amended.
Preparation to commit a crime, specifically offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace, under the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29).
Among the remanded is 19-year-old blacksmith Rauf Naziru, who admitted that security officers discovered the items in his room but insisted they were not firearms.
He told the court that the 15 M16 empty shells, seven AK-47 empty shells, and nine G3 empty shells allegedly recovered from him were raw materials for making rings and scrapers.
Also remanded are Issaka Tijani, 34; Abdulai Sumaila Gatuso, 17; carpenter Muniru Abubakarm Naro, 21; Issaka Yakubu, 19; Sulemana Abdul Basit Ayede, 37; Bukari Salifu Monaaba, 34; Yakim Ibrahim, 35; and Adam Hanisu Hanif, 34.
The prosecution, led by ASP Issah Achibari, informed the court that investigations were ongoing and requested that the accused remain in custody while the case progressed.
The court granted the request and instructed the prosecution to provide all necessary disclosures to the defence before the next hearing.
The case has been adjourned to August 21, 2025.
Background
According to police reports, a joint military-police operation on August 5 uncovered ammunition in the possession of Naziru and Tijani. Both failed to provide lawful justification for their possession.
The other accused were arrested during curfew hours in the same vicinity, allegedly assembling without any clear purpose during restricted hours. Their arrests were carried out under the command of Captain D.Z. Mahama.
The accused and the recovered exhibits were handed over to the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit on August 6. All accused were subsequently cautioned and detained.
