Youth Beat Up Police Team, Seize Weapons

The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested nine persons suspected to be part of a mob that attacked police officers injuring them and taking four service weapons.

The attacks happened at Saawie near Jirapa on Friday, December 5, 2025, when the officers were in the community to investigate threats involving tensions between residents and Fulani herdsmen. Some individuals in Saawie had allegedly threatened to burn houses belonging to the herdsmen, prompting the Jirapa Municipal Police Command to intervene before violence erupted.

The team, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) George Doe, included four other officers. Their mission was to invite community leaders for dialogue. However, shortly after arriving in the community, about thirty youth surrounded the officers and launched the attack.

During the assault, the mob overpowered the officers, seized four service weapons and caused various injuries to them. The incident immediately triggered a major police response.

According to the officially statement released on December 7, The Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, led a reinforcement team to the community shortly after the attack. The team rescued the injured officers and evacuated them for medical treatment. Police said all the seized weapons were later recovered, and efforts are still underway to retrieve two missing magazines.

Medical examinations showed that two of the injured officers sustained minor injuries and were treated and discharged. One officer, who suffered a fractured arm, has been referred to the Wa Regional Hospital for additional medical care.

Investigations in the community led to the arrest of nine suspects believed to be involved in the attack. Police say the suspects will be put before court as soon as investigations are completed. The Command added that the search for other members of the mob is still ongoing.

The Regional Police Command strongly condemned what it described as a “heinous attack” on its officers. According to the statement, decisive measures are being taken to protect police personnel and ensure the safety of law-abiding residents.

The police further urged residents of Saawie and nearby communities to work closely with investigators. The statement called on the public to share any information that may help in arresting remaining suspects or recovering outstanding items.

The Command also emphasised that attacks on officers will not be tolerated and warned that anyone involved in such acts will face the full force of the law. It assured the public that security in the Jirapa Municipality and the wider region remains under control, and additional steps are being taken to prevent further disturbances.

The police have encouraged calm in the community while investigations continue.

Meanwhile, on the same day, December 7, the Ghana Police Service also announced a separate major operation in the Western North Region. In the statement, the police said five suspects believed to be behind several robberies in Sefwi Bekwai and nearby communities had been arrested.

The suspects, Iddrisu Abdalla (20), Abdul Rahaman Abubakar (21), Okasha Mohammed (19), Toffic Bawa (24), and Richard Gyapong (35), were arrested during an intelligence-led operation. Three of them were intercepted on an unregistered motorbike but failed to stop at a checkpoint, leading to a police chase and arrest. A search at their homes revealed a backpack filled with talismans, a face mask, and rings suspected to be used for criminal purposes.

Police say the five men are linked to several robbery incidents and are assisting with investigations.