Sixteen suspects are in custody after security operations at the Gbane mining site in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, where police and soldiers recovered 209 live AA cartridges, two pump-action guns and suspected Indian hemp.
A statement from the Police Public Affairs Unit, issued on October 14, 2026, said the Upper East Regional Police Command carried out its operation on Tuesday, October 13, with officers from the National Police Intelligence Directorate, the Upper East Regional Police Intelligence Directorate, the Special Operations Team popularly known as Black Cobra, and the Tongo District Police Command.
Ten suspects were arrested during the operation.
The statement, signed by Chief Inspector Abdul-Raman Sumaila, said the police recovered 104 live AA cartridges, 37 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 12 mobile phones, seven body armours, two pepper sprays, four touch lights, a knife, a weapon bag and a set of walkie-talkies. They also took seven security uniforms belonging to Nalamtaaba, a small-scale mining firm.
In a separate operation, a team from the 11 Mechanised Battalion arrested six more suspects and recovered two pump-action guns and 105 live AA cartridges. The six suspects and the recovered items were handed over to the police in Bolgatanga for further investigations.
Between the two operations, 16 people were arrested and 209 cartridges seized. The police are keeping the other items as exhibits.
All 16 suspects are in custody, assisting investigations, and will be put before the court.
The operation is part of security efforts at the site following impasses involving the Gbane and Namolug communities, Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise and Earl International Mining Limited. The police said patrols are continuing in the affected communities to keep the peace.
ALSO READ:
Supreme Court halts promotion of 40 police officers pending IGP’s appeal
