Security personnel in Nkwanta in the Oti Region have intercepted a significant quantity of ammunition following two separate intelligence-led operations conducted on May 17, as part of ongoing efforts to curb the illegal movement of arms and maintain peace in the area.
The coordinated operations, involving both police and military personnel, led to the arrest of two suspects and the retrieval of hundreds of rounds of ammunition concealed and transported under suspicious circumstances.
In the first incident, a night patrol team stationed at a security checkpoint in Nkwanta intercepted a 66-seater MGI passenger bus with registration number AS248-P.
The vehicle, which was reportedly carrying passengers, was subjected to a thorough search by security personnel acting on intelligence.
During the search, officers discovered seven hundred and fifty (750) live J/G cartridges carefully concealed inside a black polythene bag.
The ammunition had been packed in three brown boxes, each containing 250 rounds.
According to preliminary findings, one of the occupants, identified as suspect Hudu Mahama, a 53-year-old driver’s mate on board the bus, admitted ownership of the concealed ammunition during initial interrogation by security officials.
In a separate but related operation conducted on the same day, a joint Police and Military task force engaged in a pursuit of a suspected motorbike rider believed to be involved in the illegal transportation of ammunition.
During the chase, a box containing ammunition reportedly fell from the suspect’s motorbike. The rider managed to escape despite efforts by the security personnel to apprehend him.
The fallen box was later retrieved and found to contain one hundred and twenty-five (125) AA cartridges and one hundred and twenty-five (125) BB cartridges, bringing the total to two hundred and fifty (250) rounds of ammunition.
Following preliminary investigations into the incident, another suspect, identified as Christian Kwasi Alonise, aged 57, was arrested in connection with the discovery.
