Ghanaian security forces have arrested a group of heavily armed men who claim to be soldiers from Burkina Faso who were reported by residents in a community called Wuru in the Upper East Region.

According to reports, the Burkinabè soldiers were spotted by residents setting up a combat position using sandbags.Responding to the distress call, the security forces in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region arrested and detained the 17 heavily armed Burkinabè soldiers.

The soldiers, aged between 20 and 30, were found in possession of dozens of military items, including firearms and explosive devices. They were reportedly arrested near the border community of Wuru, about a one-hour drive east of Tumu.

“We received a distress call from community members about armed elements establishing a combat position. We responded swiftly, successfully ambushed them, and transported them together with their weapons to our office,” an official said.

According to the official, these alleged soldiers claimed they had lost their way during a routine patrol. However, they were detained for several hours until about 9:00 p.m., until authorities at the national level ordered their release.

Their weapons were released the following day after a delegation led by staff of the Ghanaian Embassy in Burkina Faso visited.

The Wuru community lies within the Nazinga Forest range. Between 2022 and 2023, residents reported frequent sightings and movements of armed men suspected to be terrorists within farmlands inside the forest.

Residents complained that these activities negatively affected farming, hunting, and other economic activities in the area.

Intelligence reports indicating the return of these suspected terrorists began circulating in December 2025.

Following this, netizens have expressed possible threats of terrorist attacks in Ghana, given the growing number of incidents in neighbouring countries, particularly Burkina Faso. Stakeholders, experts and security analysts, such as Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, have warned the government to take urgent measures as Ghana currently enjoys what is largely described as ‘relative peace’, with a possible risk of terrorist attacks from spillovers from the Sahel.

Experts argue that Ghana’s intelligence agencies need better collaboration to detect and prevent extremist infiltration. Weak coordination is seen as a vulnerability.

Consequently, in December last year, the Centre for Policy Scrutiny (CPS)held a dialogue in Accra under the theme, “Fighting Terrorism in the Middle East and Africa.” Attendees included Ghanaian MPs and the Israeli Ambassador, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.

Militant Islamist groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), Boko Haram, and Al Shabaab have sustained near-record levels of violence. The Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) and Somalia together account for 79% of terrorism-related deaths in Africa.

The UN Secretary-General warned that terrorism in Africa is now a “growing global threat”. The Sahel alone represents 19% of terrorist attacks worldwide and more than half of global terrorism casualties. Around 4 million people are displaced across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and neighbouring states.

Meanwhile, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has underscored the urgent need for stronger security frameworks to address critical global threats, including cybercrime, terrorism, and food insecurity.

Speaking at a diplomatic gathering at Jubilee House during an annual New Year exchange hosted by President John Mahama, Mr Ablakwa emphasised the necessity of international cooperation in tackling these challenges.

“Moreover, global economic uncertainties, cybercrime, terrorism, food insecurity, and pandemics are pressing challenges that need a unified response,” he stated.

“These threats to global stability and security make it clear that comprehensive cooperation and stronger security frameworks are necessary,” he added, stressing that collective action was vital in navigating the evolving global landscape.

To reinforce Ghana’s diplomatic strategy, Mr Ablakwa announced the introduction of a Comprehensive Foreign Policy, which will guide the country’s approach to international relations in a more proactive and strategic manner.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had established a Delivery Unit to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in diplomatic affairs, ensuring Ghana remains adaptable in an ever-changing world.