BY Daniel Bampoe
Security in Akwatia, Eastern Region, has been tightened following a series of police operations that led to the arrest of 10 suspects and the retrieval of nine firearms in the days leading up to the highly anticipated by-election.
The Eastern South Regional Police Command confirmed that the seizures, which include eight pump-action shotguns and one locally manufactured single-barrel gun, were part of a broader strategy to curb unlawful possession of arms and prevent violence during the electoral process.
Akwatia, historically a political hotspot, has often been associated with tensions and sporadic clashes during elections, prompting law enforcement to deploy extra measures this time.
Arrests and Recoveries
The first major interception occurred on Friday, August 22, 2025, near the St. Dominic Hospital in Akwatia.
Police stopped a vehicle driven by Bernard Kumi Ofosu and, upon searching, found a Tulpar double-barrel pump-action gun along with four AAA live cartridges and two blank cartridges.
Although Ofosu admitted ownership and presented a license, he was taken into custody for verification while the weapon and ammunition were retained as exhibits.
At the Akwatia Y-Junction snap check on the same day, officers arrested Joshua Amenuku after retrieving 15 live BB cartridges from his possession.
A search of his residence uncovered an ADLER TULPA pump-action shotgun and five more cartridges. He is currently assisting investigators.
Later that evening, another interception at the Boadua Livingstone snap check point led to the arrest of two men, Enoch Asiedu and Chinese national Lu Youyan, who were traveling in a Toyota Hilux pickup.
Police retrieved four live BB cartridges from the vehicle, which the suspects claimed belonged to their employer, identified as Mohammed, the vehicle owner.
Police say efforts are underway to trace and question Mohammed.
The following day, August 23, 2025, police at the same Boadua snap check point arrested Pieterson Joseph after retrieving one ADLER TULPAR pump-action gun and 46 cartridges from his vehicle. Joseph admitted ownership of the weapon.
In another significant operation that day, officers intercepted a Toyota Tundra pickup at Staff Village, Boadua, traveling from Asamankese.
A search uncovered three pump-action shotguns—identified as a Pardus pump-action, a Hulglu Atroe pump-action, and another yet-to-be-specified pump-action. Suspect Stephen Nkansah admitted ownership of two of the firearms and claimed the third belonged to his chief. He was arrested and detained for further investigation.
The Eastern South Regional Police Command has assured residents of Akwatia and stakeholders that security operations will be sustained and intensified in the lead-up to the by-election.
Authorities emphasized that their aim is to ensure law and order before, during, and after the polls, warning that unlawful possession of weapons would not be tolerated.
