Three held after Accra phone dealer Nana Yaw Kyere allegedly kidnapped and killed
Detectives say a partly burnt body found at Community 18 was identified by the dealer's mother and an uncle.
Police say 27-year-old swallowed five SIM cards after arrest on Kasoa-Bawjiase road
Awudu Baba was stopped with four smartphones on 19 September and remains in custody as investigators try to identify their owners.
Sensitive story. Allegations are reported as allegations, not as established fact.
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Pinned summary · as of
A 27-year-old man named Awudu Baba was arrested near midnight on 19 September at a checkpoint on the Kasoa-Bawjiase Highway with several smartphones in his possession. The Central East Regional Police Command says he swallowed five SIM cards as officers moved to detain him, and police suspect the handsets were stolen from people around Awutu Bawjiase in the Central Region.
What we know
- Police stopped Awudu Baba during the late hours of 19 September 2026 at a roadblock on the Kasoa-Bawjiase Highway. DCOP Francis Nchor, the regional commander, disclosed the arrest, and Citi Newsroom, Chale News, YEN.com.gh, GhPage and The Press Radio all reported it.
- According to the Central East Regional Police Command, the recovered phones consisted of two iPhone models (6 and 6 Plus) and two Samsung devices (Galaxy S7 Edge and A12). Police said they also found five SIM cards during the search.
- Police allege that Awudu Baba swallowed five SIM cards when he realised he was about to be arrested. The command states the SIM cards had been removed from the handsets before that moment.
- Police allege that the phones were stolen around Awutu Bawjiase in the Central Region. The command says investigations into the source of the handsets are ongoing.
- The Central East Regional Police Command has called on residents who recently lost a mobile phone to visit the command to identify and retrieve their property where ownership can be established.
What's disputed / unconfirmed
- Citi Newsroom, Chale News, GhPage and The Press Radio reported finding five phones; YEN.com.gh cited Citi News as saying four were recovered.
- Chale News and GhPage suggest that swallowing the SIM cards was an attempt to destroy proof linking the devices to their owners. Police stated this motive; it has not been confirmed by other reporting or evidence.
- Citi Newsroom reported that police also intercepted a truck on 26 September carrying suspected stolen household items including furniture and appliances. The command alleged that a man named Mohammed Sulemana was involved and was remanded in custody with a court date set for 12 October. This case is reported only by Citi Newsroom and remains unconfirmed elsewhere.
- No court date for Awudu Baba has been announced. Chale News noted that officials have not given a timeline for concluding the case or said whether he will face formal charges.
Why it matters for Ghana
Phone theft affects daily life in the Central Region, because handsets hold mobile money access, work contacts and personal information. Residents around Kasoa and Awutu Bawjiase who lost a device recently can now take action by reporting to the police command to identify and retrieve their phone if it is among those recovered. Awudu Baba is a suspect in custody, and any charges against him will depend on the investigation and court proceedings; presumption of innocence applies until a finding is made.
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