Police reinforcement storm Saawie after officers attacked, service weapons stolen

A targeted peace-building deployment in the Upper West Region spiralled into a full-scale security crisis on Friday, December 5, after members of the Saawie community violently assaulted five police personnel and seized multiple service weapons, prompting an emergency regional response.

What began as a routine intervention to calm rising tensions between local residents and Fulani herdsmen quickly deteriorated. At approximately 15:40 hours, a team led by ASP George Doe of the Jirapa Municipal Command arrived in Saawie to invite opinion leaders for dialogue after threats to burn Fulani homes were reported.

Instead of cooperation, the officers were confronted by an estimated 30 angry residents who launched a coordinated attack. All five officers sustained injuries, and the assailants forcibly disarmed them, escaping with:

Three AK-47 rifles

One pistol

The severity of the assault triggered an immediate mobilisation order from the Upper West Regional Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare. Reinforcement units were rapidly deployed from five jurisdictions — Jirapa, Lawra, Wa, Nadowli, and Nandom — to stabilise the situation, rescue the injured officers, and secure the area.

All officers were evacuated to St. Joseph Hospital in Jirapa. The Regional Commander later confirmed they were “responding positively to treatment.”

A structured search-and-sweep operation followed the rescue mission, yielding partial recovery of the stolen arsenal:

Recovered:

One AK-47 rifle (without magazine)

One pistol

Still Missing:

Two AK-47 rifles

One AK-47 magazine

Police leadership has underscored the grave security implications should the missing rifles enter wider circulation.

In the immediate aftermath, police teams conducted intelligence-led searches across the community, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals found hiding under beds or attempting to flee.

Multiple items believed to be connected to illegal activities were seized, including:

Three locally manufactured firearms

Two motorbikes

One tricycle

Three deep freezers and a tabletop fridge

All suspects and confiscated items have since been transferred to the Wa Regional Headquarters for further interrogation.

DCOP Yiribaare engaged the local chief and assembly member in a crisis meeting, emphasising the seriousness of attacking state officers and stealing state weaponry. The Regional Command issued a firm directive:

The community must return the remaining two AK-47 rifles and the missing magazine within 24 hours.

Police say the directive is non-negotiable, citing the elevated risk the weapons pose to community safety and regional security.

Security analysts warn that the incident demonstrates an escalation in community-police tensions and a worrying willingness by civilians to confront armed officers. The Regional Command has signalled that broader tactical operations will continue until all weapons are recovered and accountability is ensured.