Security forces in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region have arrested 17 heavily armed Burkinabè soldiers who were found operating within Ghanaian territory.
The soldiers, believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, were arrested near the border community of Wuru, about an hour’s drive east of Tumu. They were reportedly in possession of several military-grade items, including firearms and explosive devices.
Officials of the Ghana Immigration Service said residents raised an alarm after spotting the armed men setting up what appeared to be a combat position using sandbags. Security personnel swiftly moved in, ambushed the group, and transported them, together with their weapons, to the immigration office for questioning.
During interrogation, the men claimed they were members of the Burkinabè army on a routine patrol who had mistakenly crossed into Ghana after losing their way.
Despite this explanation, they were detained for several hours and only released around 9:00 p.m. following directives from national authorities. Their weapons were handed back the next day after a delegation led by officials from the Ghanaian Embassy in Burkina Faso visited.
The Wuru community is located within the Nazinga Forest range, an area that has raised security concerns in recent years. Between 2022 and 2023, residents reported frequent movements of armed men suspected to be terrorists within farmlands in the forest.
Community members say these activities have disrupted farming, hunting, and other economic pursuits. Intelligence reports suggesting the possible return of suspected terrorist elements in the area began circulating again in December 2025.
