The Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team, which was deployed to Kumasi on Wednesday to intensify the fight against crime, has been unexpectedly withdrawn from the Ashanti Regional capital barely 24 hours after arriving.
The team, led by DSP Bawah Abdul Jalil and ASP Samuel Mustapha Abenzuo, arrived in Kumasi on Wednesday and immediately commenced intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks, including robbery, drug peddling, violent attacks on commuters, and illegal firearms possession.
A total of 111 personnel were deployed for the exercise, supported by 10 service vehicles, including a Black Maria for transporting suspects and an armoured carrier for officer safety.
The team focused on known hotspots, particularly the popular drug den known as “Tinker Island” in the Alaba area. During their first major operation, they arrested 19 suspects in connection with drug-related offences and seized suspected heroin, cocaine, cannabis, and other substances.
However, as the team prepared to continue with further operations across the metropolis, they were abruptly recalled to the Police Headquarters in Accra.
Reasons for Withdrawal Unclear
The exact reason for the sudden withdrawal remains unclear. Sources within the police indicated that the team was simply “asked to return to base,” but no official explanation has been provided so far.
The development has sparked public frustration and speculation, with some residents and commentators suggesting possible political interference. They claim that certain influential figures within the governing party felt uncomfortable with the team’s presence in the region.
The Ghana Police Service is yet to issue an official statement on the withdrawal or clarify the circumstances surrounding the decision.
The sudden pull-out has raised questions about the consistency of anti-crime strategies in the Ashanti Region, particularly in Kumasi, which continues to grapple with rising incidents of robbery, drug peddling, and other violent crimes.
Further updates are expected once the Police High Command addresses the matter publicly.
Source: Reports from Kumasi and police sources (March 26, 2026)
