Two men, Musah Aguruba and Issah Awuni, are in custody after the Accra Circuit Court One remanded them. They face charges over the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. The court's decision came after the pair denied conspiring to possess a G3 assault rifle. They also denied owning large quantities of live ammunition. This occurred without the necessary lawful authority.
The prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Emmanuel Nyamekye, stated that the arrests followed a shooting incident. This happened on April 27, 2026, around 2 PM. Unknown gunmen fired shots indiscriminately in Bawku. This caused panic among residents. Military personnel were deployed to the scene. The suspects reportedly fled upon seeing the soldiers. They were pursued and apprehended near a mosque in Bawkzua.
A search conducted at the mosque yielded substantial weaponry. Officers found one G3 assault rifle, serial number G3COF28516. They also discovered two magazines. Each magazine held 20 rounds of G3 ammunition. Additionally, 176 rounds of AK-47 ammunition were recovered. Aguruba, a carpenter, and Awuni, a farmer, are both from Bawkzua. They claimed they were at the mosque to pray. They suggested an unknown person might have hidden the weapons there. Investigations are continuing to confirm their statements.
This incident highlights ongoing security concerns in areas like the Bawku Municipality. Such events can disrupt local economies and instill fear in communities. The presence of illegal arms often fuels conflict and hinders development. The recovery of both assault rifle ammunition and AK-47 rounds indicates a serious potential threat. The security agencies are committed to tackling arms proliferation.
The Accra Circuit Court has scheduled the next hearing for May 14, 2026. The court remanded the two men to reappearance on that date. This is to allow the police to conclude their investigations. The outcome of the investigation could shed light on the source of the weapons and the alleged conspiracy. The security forces will likely increase vigilance in the region.