A chief in the Northern Region has been apprehended for carrying an M16 assault rifle along with six fully loaded magazines at the Ambariya Senior High School in Tamale.

The incident has raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal weapons in the region and its implications for security.

Civil society organizations have long expressed worries about the proliferation of illicit firearms in Northern Ghana, linking it to the frequent conflicts in the area.

The Ghana Small Arms Commission has been actively addressing the problem of illegal arms trading and combating gun violence. Nonetheless, police officers frequently uncover various weapons and ammunition hidden in vehicles throughout the region.

Sources from the Regional Police Command have affirmed that the apprehended chief will face charges in court on Monday.