By Accra, Ghana – April 21, 2025 – In a significant blow to cross-border criminal networks, the Volta Regional Police Command intercepted a large consignment of ammunition during a routine checkpoint operation in the early hours of Friday, April 18, 2025. The seizure, which took place at the Tadzewu-Mitsrikasa barrier, underscores Ghana’s ongoing efforts to curb the illicit arms trade and maintain regional stability amid rising security concerns in West Africa.
According to a press release issued by the Ghana Police Service, officers stopped a Hyundai bus with the registration number GR 8246-Q at approximately 3:30 a.m. The bus, traveling from Accra to Benin, was carrying a concealed shipment of 60 cartons of AAA cartridges (15,000 rounds) and 72 cartons of BB cartridges (18,000 rounds). The ammunition was hidden in sacks placed beneath passenger luggage, a common tactic used by smugglers to evade detection.
Images released by the police show stacks of the seized ammunition packed in patterned bags, with officers meticulously inspecting the haul. The driver, Abasou Fousseni, aged 45, and his co-driver, Salisu Jalilu, aged 38, were arrested at the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest that the co-driver was responsible for loading the illicit goods into the vehicle. The suspects are currently in custody, assisting with inquiries as authorities work to trace the source of the ammunition and identify the intended recipients.
“This operation demonstrates the vigilance of our officers and the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to combating transnational crime,” said DSP Felix Danku of the Volta Regional Police Public Affairs Unit in the press statement. “We remain dedicated to ensuring peace and security in the sub-region.”
A Strategic Smuggling Route Under Scrutiny
The interception highlights the Accra-Cotonou corridor as a critical transit route for illicit goods in West Africa. Ghana, situated at the heart of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region, has long been a hub for both legitimate trade and illicit activities. According to the ENACT Organised Crime Index, Ghana’s porous land borders, coupled with high levels of corruption among some border officials, facilitate the trafficking of arms, drugs, and other contraband. The country’s proximity to the Sahel—where instability has fueled the demand for weapons—further exacerbates the problem.
The seized ammunition, identified as AAA and BB cartridges, is commonly used in shotguns for hunting or small-scale conflicts. However, experts note that such ammunition can also be repurposed for criminal activities, including by insurgent groups in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, where commercial explosives and small arms have fueled ongoing conflicts. The ENACT report also points to the involvement of criminal networks in Ghana, often operating with the complicity of state-embedded actors within security and customs services, in facilitating the illicit arms trade.
Ghana’s Role in Regional Security
This seizure comes at a time of heightened regional collaboration to address the proliferation of arms and other illicit goods. Ghana, Togo, and Benin have intensified joint operations to disrupt transnational crime syndicates, particularly those exploiting the instability in the Sahel. The Ghana Police Service’s swift action in this case reflects broader strategies to strengthen border security and intelligence-sharing across West Africa.
However, challenges remain. The ENACT Organised Crime Index highlights the growing demand for illicit arms in both urban and rural areas of Ghana, driven by rising crime rates and insecurity. Smaller informal criminal networks, operating through sea borders, airports, and internal waterways, engage in a range of activities, including arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.
Ghana’s role as a transit and destination country for irregular migrants further complicates the security landscape, with transnational Ghanaian smugglers playing a pivotal role in the region’s human smuggling industry.
A Call for Continued Vigilance
The Volta Regional Police’s success in intercepting this shipment is a testament to the effectiveness of routine security operations and the importance of intelligence-led policing. Yet, it also serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by organized crime in the region. The Ghana Police Service has vowed to continue its investigations, with a focus on dismantling the networks behind this shipment and preventing similar incidents in the future.
As Ghana navigates its dual role as a stable economic hub and a transit point for illicit activities, the government and its security agencies must remain proactive in addressing the root causes of transnational crime. This includes tackling corruption, strengthening border controls, and fostering greater cooperation with neighboring countries.
For now, the arrest of Abasou Fousseni and Salisu Jalilu sends a strong message to those involved in the illicit arms trade: Ghana’s security forces are watching, and they are ready to act. The seized ammunition, now in police custody, will no longer fuel conflict or crime—a small but significant victory in the fight for peace and stability in West Africa.
