Filed by: Issah Abdul-Latif
The Upper West Regional Police Command has dismantled an active motorbike theft syndicate operating within the Wa Municipality and surrounding districts, resulting in the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of 17 stolen motorbikes.
The crackdown began following a complaint lodged on July 11, 2026, by a victim whose black Luojia motorbike (registration number M-21-UW 3512) was stolen from the premises of the Ghana National Fire Service in Jirapa. Details of the stolen vehicle were swiftly circulated among local police networks and members of the public.
Acting on intelligence, officers traced and arrested the primary suspect, Nasiru Muftawu, at Loho in possession of the stolen motorbike. During police interrogation, Muftawu admitted to the theft, prompting further intelligence-led operations across the region.
The follow-up operations enabled the police to recover 16 additional stolen motorbikes from various locations within the Wa Municipality, including UBIDS, Chakor, and Glamor.
The expanded investigation led to the arrest of six additional suspects including Basit Muftawu, alias Posey (19), Issahaku Maruf, alias Katel (22), and Mohammed Ali, alias Geewaa (18). The others are Rashid Kankan (20), Mutala Rashad (20), and Haruna Hamdan, alias DJ (20).
All seven suspects have been arraigned before the Wa Circuit Court and remanded into police custody. They are scheduled to make their next court appearance on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
In a statement signed by the Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP/Mr. Francis Yiribaare, the Command appealed to members of the public who have lost motorbikes to report to the Wa District Police Headquarters with valid ownership documentation to identify and retrieve their property.
The Command reassured residents of its unwavering commitment to combating crime, dismantling criminal networks, and urged the public to continue providing timely, credible intelligence to support ongoing law enforcement efforts in the region.
