On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the tranquility of Walewale, a town nestled in the North East Region of Ghana, was disrupted by a brazen act of theft. Two individuals, Mohammed Basit, an 18-year-old, and Baba Rasid, a 22-year-old, allegedly broke into the residence of an Immigration Officer while he was away, making off with a Smith & Wesson pistol loaded with ten rounds of ammunition, as well as two CZ rifle magazines, each containing 30 rounds. This incident, occurring around midday, sparked a swift response from local law enforcement.
The Walewale police, upon receiving the officer’s report, immediately launched an investigation, leveraging their intelligence network to track down the suspects. Their efforts bore fruit in Kperiga, a suburb of Walewale, where Basit and Rasid were apprehended. The stolen firearm and ammunition were recovered during the arrest, concealed within a school bag belonging to the Immigration Officer’s child. This discovery added another layer of concern to the already serious crime, highlighting the potential danger the stolen items posed, especially in the hands of individuals with potentially malicious intent.
The theft of a firearm, particularly one belonging to a law enforcement officer, represents a significant breach of security and raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of the community. The easy access to the officer’s residence and the subsequent theft of the weapon and ammunition point to potential vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. It also underscores the risk of such weapons falling into the wrong hands, potentially facilitating further criminal activities and endangering innocent lives.
The arrest of Basit and Rasid brings a sense of relief, preventing the stolen firearm from being used in potential criminal activities. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened security measures, both for individual officers and the wider community. The fact that the suspects were able to locate and access the firearm raises concerns about the storage and security protocols in place for officers’ weapons. This incident necessitates a review of these protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The recovery of the stolen items, hidden in a child’s school bag, adds a chilling dimension to the case. It highlights the recklessness of the perpetrators and the potential danger they posed to the child and the community. The fact that they chose to hide the weapon in such a manner demonstrates a disregard for the safety of others and underscores the severity of their actions. The potential consequences of a child inadvertently discovering and handling a loaded firearm are unimaginable, further emphasizing the need for responsible gun ownership and secure storage practices.
The two suspects, Mohammed Basit and Baba Rasid, are currently in police custody awaiting their court appearance, scheduled for the following day. The ongoing investigation will seek to uncover the full details of the crime, including the suspects’ motives and any potential accomplices. The legal proceedings will determine their culpability and the appropriate consequences for their actions. This case serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of vigilance, secure storage practices for firearms, and the swift response of law enforcement in safeguarding the community. The incident also highlights the need for ongoing community policing efforts to maintain safety and security for all residents.
