In a significant breakthrough against cross-border arms trafficking, officers of the Ghana Police Service stationed at the Tadzewu-Mitsrikasa barrier in the Volta Region intercepted a large cache of ammunition concealed in a commercial passenger bus headed toward the Benin border.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, April 18, 2025, at approximately 3:30 a.m., during a routine vehicle inspection.
The Hyundai passenger bus, with registration number GR 8246-Q, was en route from Accra to Benin when officers flagged it down for a search.
Upon inspection, police discovered an alarming quantity of ammunition hidden in sacks under passenger luggage.
Specifically, the haul included 60 cartons of AAA cartridges—totaling approximately 15,000 rounds—and 72 cartons of BB cartridges, amounting to 18,000 rounds.
The discovery raised immediate red flags due to the volume and concealment tactics used.
The driver of the bus, 45-year-old Abasou Fousseni, and his co-driver, 38-year-old Salisu Jalilu, were taken into police custody for interrogation.
Initial responses from both men included denial of knowledge about the ammunition.
However, intelligence gathered during preliminary investigations pointed to the co-driver as the individual who had allegedly loaded the ammunition onto the vehicle.
Following further questioning, the driver was released on police enquiry bail to continue the journey with the passengers, who were reportedly unaware of the hidden cargo.
The co-driver was in custody and was expected to be arraigned before the court on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
The interception has sparked concern about the increasing trend of illegal arms movement through Ghana’s eastern corridor, a key transit point in the sub-region.
Security analysts have previously flagged the Accra-Benin route as a high-risk corridor for illicit activities due to its porous border points and strategic location for transnational smuggling networks.
In a press statement signed by DSP Felix Danku of the Volta Region’s Police Public Affairs Unit, the Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its dedication to disrupting organized crime and safeguarding national and regional security.
The Service further called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly along known transit routes.
