Residents of Ashongman Estates in the Ga East District of Greater Accra are hailing a major victory in their long-standing battle against landguard terror after a successful operation by the Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Landguard Unit led to the arrest of a dangerous gang.

On the morning of Thursday, July 3, 2025, the specialised unit, commanded by DSP Nafiu Shittu, launched a well-coordinated raid at the Bank of Ghana lands within the estate. The operation, which followed intelligence gathered from persistent community complaints, resulted in the apprehension of ten landguards accused of intimidating landowners, destroying properties, and unlawfully claiming lands.

According to DSP Shittu, the suspects were part of an organised criminal network that had been operating with impunity for years.

The police named Yussif Touffik, Chief Ali Ibrahim, Abdul Wajeed, Seidu Issah, Graham Smith, Latiff Larry, Mohammed Omar, Emmanuel Mensah, Abdul Wallah, and Said Abdullai among those arrested. They are currently in custody and face charges under the Vigilantism and Related Offences Act, 2019 (Act 999).

The land in question had been the subject of numerous legal battles. Originally acquired through a government auction in 2014, its ownership had been twice confirmed by court rulings in 2010 and 2024.

Nonetheless, the landguards had persisted in harassing legitimate owners, demanding payments and threatening violence.

“This operation is part of a broader national effort to eliminate landguardism, restore peace, and protect property rights,” DSP Shittu said in an interview.

He reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service's commitment to safeguarding law-abiding citizens against land-related violence and fraud.

For many Ashongman residents, this marks the end of a nightmare. “We finally feel protected,” said one resident who witnessed the arrests. “These men have destroyed homes and lives for far too long.”