Investigations into the interception of a large cache of high-powered ammunition destined for Ghana’s northern border have taken a significant turn following the arrest and handover of a serving officer of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to the Ghana Police Service.
The officer, identified as Assistant Immigration Control Officer I (AICO1) Ahmed Abdul Samad, is alleged to have played a role in the attempted smuggling of 2,600 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition toward Paga, a strategic border town in the Upper East Region. The development has intensified national security concerns, particularly regarding insider involvement in illicit arms trafficking.
The case began on December 26, 2025, when police officers on routine checkpoint duty at the Kantanso–Asankare Police Barrier in the Ashanti Region stopped an OA-registered commercial bus travelling from southern Ghana toward the northern corridor.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of two concealed containers filled with 2,600 rounds of AK-47 ammunition. The scale and concealment method immediately raised suspicions of an organised smuggling operation rather than a случай movement of illegal arms.
In addition to the ammunition, officers recovered two bulletproof plates, a black tactical helmet, and military-style boots, items typically associated with combat readiness rather than civilian use.
Following the discovery, the driver and mate of the bus were arrested at the checkpoint and taken into custody to assist with investigations. Police later apprehended a third civilian suspect in Walewale, believed to be connected to the planned receipt of the ammunition.
As investigations progressed, intelligence gathered by security agencies pointed to deeper links involving personnel stationed along Ghana’s border areas. This led investigators to focus attention on AICO1 Ahmed Abdul Samad, a native of Nalerigu and a serving officer at the GIS Paga Sector Command.
Upon identifying the officer as a person of interest, the Ghana Immigration Service initiated internal actions, resulting in his arrest. On January 2, 2026, the officer was formally handed over to the Upper East Regional Police Command to face criminal investigations.
Security sources indicate that the officer is suspected of either facilitating or preparing to receive the ammunition upon its arrival in Paga, though police stress that investigations are ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached.
The alleged involvement of a uniformed security officer has elevated the case to a matter of national importance. Analysts warn that insider participation in arms trafficking poses a serious threat to border security and undermines public confidence in state institutions.
Paga, located close to Ghana’s northern frontier, is a sensitive transit point, and authorities have long expressed concern about the movement of illegal weapons across porous borders in the sub-region.
The Ghana Police Service has confirmed that all recovered exhibits, including the ammunition, protective gear, and the bus used in the operation, remain in custody. Investigations are currently focused on identifying the source of the ammunition, uncovering any wider criminal network, and determining the intended use of the weapons.
Both the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Immigration Service have reiterated their commitment to professionalism and accountability, emphasizing that no individual will be shielded from the law if found to have acted in a manner that threatens national security.
As investigations continue, security agencies have assured the public that decisive steps are being taken to prevent the illegal circulation of arms and to strengthen surveillance along major transport routes and border communities.
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