Wa West Police Arrest Three Men for Illegal Possession of Firearms During Routine Patrol

Police authorities in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region have apprehended three individuals following the discovery of unlicensed firearms during a security operation. The suspects, identified as 27-year-old Yahaya Samad, 37-year-old Adams Alhassan, and 35-year-old Yiritang Boosi, were taken into custody on February 3, 2026. The incident occurred in the Goziri community when a police patrol team intercepted a group of armed men, raising immediate security concerns in the district. The arrests were part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and ensure the safety of residents in the region. According to official reports, the arrests took place during a routine patrol intended to maintain law and order in the area. Officers spotted five individuals who appeared to be armed; upon noticing the police presence, the group attempted to flee into the surrounding terrain to evade capture. While two of the individuals managed to escape the scene, the police successfully apprehended Samad, Alhassan, and Boosi after a brief pursuit. A subsequent search of the suspects led to the retrieval of three single-barrel guns, several cutlasses, and a cache of cartridges. The suspects reportedly admitted to the police during interrogation that they did not possess the requisite legal documentation or licenses for the weapons found in their possession. Following their arrest, the trio appeared before the Wa Magistrate Court, where they were remanded into custody to allow for further investigation. They are scheduled for their next court appearance on February 18, 2026, as the police continue their search for the remaining two suspects who fled the scene. In the wake of this incident, the police administration has issued a stern warning to the general public regarding the illegal possession of firearms. Authorities emphasized the importance of community safety and urged all firearm owners to ensure their weapons are properly registered and licenses regularized with the appropriate state institutions to avoid prosecution and enhance local security.