The Eastern South Regional Police Command has arrested 10 suspects and retrieved nine weapons in separate operations at Akwatia as part of ongoing security operations ahead of the constituency by-election.
The weapons included eight pump-action guns and one locally manufactured single-barreled gun.
A press release said: “These seizures form part of intensified efforts to prevent the unlawful possession and use of weapons during the electoral process.”
It said on August 22, 2025, near St. Dominic Hospital at Akwatia in the Eastern Region, the police intercepted a vehicle driven by suspect Bernard Kumi Ofosu.
A search on him led to the discovery of one Tulpar double-barrel pump-action gun, four AAA live cartridges and two FTB blank cartridges.
The suspect, the release said, admitted ownership of the firearm and produced a valid license.
He is currently in custody assisting with 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, and a subsequent search at his residence uncovered one Adler
Tulpa pump-action gun as well as 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, after four live BB cartridges were retrieved from the vehicle,” it added.
“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.”
It said the next day, police officers on duty at the Boadua Livingstone Junction snap check point arrested suspect Peterson Joseph, after retrieving an Adler Tulpar pump-action gun and 46 AAA and BB cartridges from his vehicle. He admitted ownership of the firearm.
On the same day, officers on snap-check duty at Staff Village Boadua intercepted a Toyota Tundra pick-up with registration number WR 5535-13 from the Asamankese direction towards Boadua.
A search on the Tundra revealed three Pump Action guns, including one Pardus Pump Action gun, one Hulglu Atroe pump action, and one other Pump Action gun.
Suspect Stephen Nkansah claimed ownership of two of the pump-action guns and stated that the third belonged to his “chief,” the release said.
Meanwhile, suspect Nkansah had been detained for investigation.
“The Eastern South Regional Police Command assures the public and all stakeholders that the operation would be intensified as part of efforts to ensure security, law and order before, during, and after the Akwatia by-election.