Security forces in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region have arrested and detained 17 heavily armed Burkinabè soldiers in Ghanaian territory.

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.

According to officials of the Ghana Immigration Service, the armed men were in the process of setting up a combat position using sandbags when residents spotted them and raised the alarm.

“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.

During interrogation, the men claimed they were soldiers of the Burkinabè army on routine patrol who had lost their way.

Despite this explanation, they were detained for several hours until about 9:00 p.m., when a directive was received from national authorities ordering 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.