Accra, Ghana – The Accra Circuit Court has remanded two police officers over their alleged involvement in the theft of 16 CZ assault rifles from the armoury of the Ghana Police Service’s National Counter Terrorism Department — a breach that has sparked grave concerns over institutional security and weapons control.
The accused, Lance Corporal William Atia Asitanga, 32, and Lance Corporal Sulemana Zanya Abdul-Rahman, 27, were arraigned before Her Honour Justice Evelyn Asamoah on charges of stealing and abetment to steal, respectively. Both pleaded not guilty.
According to the prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, the incident occurred in March 2024 at the department’s Accra-based headquarters.
ance Corporal Asitanga, the designated armourer, was responsible for safeguarding all weapons and ammunition under the unit’s control. An internal audit revealed the disappearance of 16 CZ assault rifles — a loss described as “a severe lapse in operational oversight.”
Investigations allegedly linked Asitanga directly to the theft, with his colleague Abdul-Rahman — stationed at Asiwa in the Bekwai District of the Ashanti Region — suspected of aiding him. Both officers were subsequently arrested.
DSP Nyamekye informed the court that the suspects are cooperating with ongoing inquiries. The judge ordered their continued detention in police custody pending further investigation, with the case adjourned to August 20, 2025.
Security analysts have warned that the stolen rifles, if unaccounted for, could be diverted to criminal networks or extremist groups, posing a serious threat to national stability. The development has intensified calls for tighter security protocols, advanced tracking systems, and independent oversight of armoury operations within Ghana’s security services.
The Ghana Police Service is yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but the decision to remand the officers underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.
Source – My News Ghana
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