Jirapa: Police Officers Attacked, Service Weapons Seized at Saawie Community

Five police officers sustained injuries on Friday, December 5, 2025, after they were attacked by a group of residents in Saawie, a community in the Jirapa Municipality of the Upper West Region.

The attackers also seized multiple service weapons, prompting a large-scale police response.

According to a police situation report, the incident occurred at about 3:40 p.m. when the Jirapa Municipal Police Command visited the community to investigate complaints that some individuals were threatening to burn the homes of Fulani herdsmen in the area.

The Municipal Commander, ASP George Doe, led four other officers to the community to engage local leaders in dialogue. However, the police team was reportedly confronted by approximately 30 community members who assaulted the officers and forcibly took three AK-47 rifles and a pistol.

Following the attack, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Francis Yiribaare, mobilised personnel from Jirapa, Lawra, Wa, Nadowli, and Nandom to stabilise the situation.

The reinforcement team rescued the injured officers, who were transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Jirapa for medical care. Police say all five officers are responding well to treatment.

A search operation launched shortly after the incident resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle without its magazine and one pistol. Two AK-47 rifles and a magazine remain missing.

Further sweep operations in the community led to the arrest of nine suspects who were allegedly hiding or attempting to escape. Police also retrieved several items believed to have been abandoned by fleeing suspects, including locally manufactured guns, motorbikes, a tricycle, and home appliances.

The suspects and retrieved items have been sent to the Wa Regional Headquarters to assist with ongoing investigations.

DCOP Yiribaare later met with the Chief and Assembly Member of Saawie, emphasising the seriousness of the attack and directing them to ensure the remaining weapons are returned within 24 hours. Police say investigations are continuing.