Police arrest Ivorian over sale of assault rifle

Kumasi, Oct 31, GNA - An Ivorian, Amadu Yakubu, has been arrested and detained by the police in Kumasi over alleged sale of an AK assault rifle.

Also held are his two Ghanaian accomplices, Mahama Abubakari and Ibrahim Owusu Sekyere.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Juliana Obeng, the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, told journalists that the gun together with 56 rounds of live ammunition were found hidden in a Toyota Corolla Saloon car by a police patrol team.

The officers were on routine patrol duty on the Kumasi-Obuasi highway, when they intercepted the car and a search uncovered the weapon and live ammunition concealed in a sack.

She said two Ghanaians – Mahama and Skeyere, who were riding in the car, were seized.

Mahama claimed it had been supplied to him by Yakubu and told the police that the latter would be arriving in the country to collect the proceeds from the sale of the weapon.

ASP Obeng added that the Ivorian was picked up when he showed up at the appointed time.

Yakubu did not deny selling the AK47 assault rifle to Mahama and claimed to have acquired it during the political crisis in his country.

ASP Obeng said the suspect attempted to bribe the police with cash of GH¢3,500.00 but this was rejected.

The three, she indicated were assisting police to probe further into the matter and would be arraigned as soon as they were done with their investigation.

Separately, the police Anti Armed Robbery Unit had seized 13 locally made single barreled guns from two blacksmiths in Kumasi.

Isaac Opoku Mensah, and Samuel Kumah, had manufactured the guns and put them on sale at Atasomanso

ASP Obeng said they were nabbed based upon police intelligence and gave the assurance that they would be prosecuted.

GNA

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