The Incident and Charges
An Accra Circuit Court remanded two Ghanaian police officers, Lance Corporal William Atia Asitanga and Lance Corporal Sulemana Zanya Abdul-Rahman, on August 5, 2025, over the alleged theft of 16 CZ assault rifles from a police armoury, per Graphic Online. The Ghana rifle theft case highlights a serious security breach within the Ghana Police Service.
Prosecutor DSP Emmanuel Nyamekye stated the theft occurred in March 2025 at the National Counter Terrorism Department in Accra. Asitanga, the armourer, could not account for the weapons during an audit, leading to Abdul-Rahman’s arrest for abetment.
Court Proceedings
Presided by Justice Evelyn Asamoah, the court heard not-guilty pleas from both officers, aged 32 and 27. They were remanded in custody for further investigations, with a reappearance set for August 20, 2025, as reported by Ghana News Agency.
The prosecution emphasized the intelligence-led probe that uncovered the missing firearms.
Implications for National Security
The disappearance of 16 assault rifles poses a grave threat, potentially arming criminals and endangering public safety, according to Human Rights Watch. The Ghana Police Service has yet to issue a public statement.
This Ghana rifle theft case calls for stricter armoury oversight. Stay tuned for more updates on the investigation and court proceedings.
source: myjoyonline
