Ghana Security Roundup: Major Arrests in Cape Coast, Fatalities in Custody, and Maritime Drug Busts Highlight National Safety Efforts

In a series of significant security developments across Ghana, law enforcement agencies have intensified operations targeting domestic violence, armed robbery, and narcotics trafficking. In Cape Coast, the Central Regional Police Command arrested 40-year-old Samuel Bills Acquah following the circulation of a viral video showing him allegedly assaulting the mother of his child. Acquah, who is facing charges under the Domestic Violence Act and Criminal Offences Act, is scheduled for a court appearance on March 30, 2026. This arrest follows strong condemnation from the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. Meanwhile, a tragic incident occurred in the Savannah Region where 30-year-old suspected armed robber Mumin Kresi died after jumping from a moving police vehicle while being escorted to retrieve a hidden weapon. Despite being rushed to St. Ann’s Hospital, Kresi was pronounced dead on arrival.

Anti-robbery operations have also seen lethal encounters and key arrests. In Atebubu, police fatally shot Osman Amadu, also known as "Manu," during an intelligence-led operation after he allegedly attempted to engage officers with a firearm. Amadu was suspected of involvement in a recent violent robbery that left a passenger injured. In the Oti Region, a joint military and police operation utilized drone technology to track and arrest three suspects—Bomie Dennis, Charity Salisa, and Kakotse Victoria—linked to a shooting incident in Keri that injured two elderly residents. Additionally, the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) is investigating a GH 400,000 mobile money fraud case in Kumasi involving merchant Derrick Okyere Dapaah, which is reportedly linked to a larger gold robbery syndicate.

Efforts to secure Ghana's borders and territorial waters have yielded significant results. The Ghana Navy's Special Boat Squadron intercepted a canoe near Sege and Ada containing 37 sacks of suspected Indian hemp, totaling over 2,500 parcels. The suspects abandoned the vessel and cargo upon spotting naval operatives. In a similar display of sophisticated interdiction in the sub-region, Nigeria's NDLEA intercepted 237 wraps of cocaine concealed within dried stockfish at Lagos airport, illustrating the increasingly creative methods used by international drug traffickers to move illicit substances.

Beyond Ghana's borders, the diaspora is mourning the tragic death of Akpene Tetteh, a 37-year-old Ghanaian PhD student at Virginia Commonwealth University, who was shot dead in broad daylight in the United States. A teenage suspect has been arrested and charged as an adult in connection with her death, which cut short a promising academic career focused on improving diabetes health outcomes. In contrast to this tragedy, a remarkable story of bravery was recognized in the UK, where Nathan Newby received the George Medal from King Charles. Newby was honored for his courage in spending two hours calming a self-radicalized terrorist, preventing a planned bombing at a Leeds hospital and saving countless lives. Together, these events highlight a period of intense activity for security forces and the profound impact of both criminal violence and individual heroism.