Police Crack Down on Firearm Theft in Walewale
On May 17, 2025, the Ghana Police Service arrested two young suspects, Mohammed Basit, 18, and Baba Rasid, 22, in Walewale, North East Region, for stealing a pistol and ammunition. The stolen items, which belonged to an Immigration officer, included a Smith and Wesson pistol with ten rounds and two CZ rifle magazines containing 30 rounds each. The arrests were made public in a press release by the Ghana Police Service on May 21, 2025, highlighting their swift response to the crime.
The theft occurred around noon on Saturday, May 17, when the suspects allegedly broke into the officer’s room while he was away. Using intelligence, the police tracked the suspects to Kperiga, a suburb of Walewale, where they had hidden the stolen firearms and ammunition in a stationary vehicle. The items were successfully recovered, and the suspects are now in custody as investigations continue, with the case set to be brought before the court.
This incident sheds light on the growing issue of small arms proliferation in Ghana, a country grappling with an estimated 2.3 million illicit firearms in civilian hands, according to a 2023 Small Arms Survey report. The North East Region, in particular, has seen a rise in property crimes, with a 2024 Ghana Statistical Service report noting a 12% increase, often linked to the influx of weapons from neighboring conflict zones like Burkina Faso.
The Ghana Police Service is committed to tackling crime, especially in a region where illegal arms significantly threaten public safety. However, the case also raises broader concerns about civilian access to high-caliber weapons in a country with strict firearm regulations, underscoring the need for stronger measures to curb arms trafficking and enhance security.