A suspected weapons theft at the Newmont Ahafo Mines has led to the remand of three men by the Fiapre Circuit Court as police intensify efforts to recover a missing Beretta service pistol taken from the company’s Ntotroso premises earlier this year.
The suspects—Joseph Blackige, 25, Kwabena Dodzi, 44, and 46-year-old Adu Yeboah Abraham, also known as Okwaraji—have been provisionally charged with stealing and possession of stolen property. An 18-year-old alleged accomplice, Priscilla Awuni, has been granted police enquiry bail.
The case traces back to January 13, 2025, when the pistol, registered as GHGP/NHQ/CTD/H78688Z13, disappeared under unexplained circumstances from the mine’s security zone. Months of intelligence work by the National Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU) culminated in a November 12 operation that led to the arrest of Blackige and Awuni at Ntotroso.
Although no weapon was found in Blackige’s home, he admitted during interrogation that he passed the pistol to Dodzi. Police then moved on to the residence of Abraham, where they recovered six BB cartridges, suspected gunpowder, and GH¢28,844 in cash. All items were seized as part of the investigation.
Presiding Judge H/W Mrs. Akua Adoma Addae remanded the three male suspects to reappear on November 28, while Awuni was released on bail pending further inquiries. The court underscored the serious security implications of weapon theft within a high-risk mining enclave.
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