Gbane mining site: 16 arrested as police, military seize guns, 209 rounds of ammunition

The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested 16 suspects and seized two pump-action guns, 209 rounds of ammunition, suspected narcotic substances and other items during security operations at the Gbane mining site in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region.

The operation, conducted last Tuesday, involved personnel 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.

In a press release issued by the Police Public Affairs Unit and signed by Chief Inspector Abdul-Raman Sumaila, the Police said 10 suspects were arrested during the operation.

Items recovered during the police operation included 104 live AA cartridges, 37 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 12 mobile phones, seven security uniforms belonging to Nalamtaaba, a small-scale mining firm, and seven pieces of body armour.

The Police also retrieved two pepper sprays, four touch lights, a knife, a weapon bag and a set of walkie-talkies.

In a related operation, a military team from the 11 Mechanised Battalion arrested six additional suspects and recovered two pump-action guns and 105 live AA cartridges.

The six suspects, together with the recovered weapons and ammunition, were subsequently handed over to the Police in Bolgatanga for further investigations.

The two operations brought the total number of suspects arrested to 16, with 209 rounds of ammunition recovered by the security personnel.

The operation comes amid tensions involving the Gbane and Namolug communities, Nalamtaaba Mining Enterprise and Earl International Mining Limited.

Although the Police did not provide details of the specific offences for which the suspects were arrested, the operation forms part of broader security efforts aimed at maintaining peace and order in the mining area.

The identities of the suspects have not been disclosed, and the Police have not established whether the recovered weapons and ammunition are connected to any particular security incident.

The Police said all 16 suspects were in custody assisting with investigations and would be put before the court.

Meanwhile, security patrols are continuing in the affected communities as the authorities work to maintain peace and prevent further disturbances.