Police say a 32-year-old ex-convict was caught in military uniform demanding cash from residents, a reminder of how easily a camouflage outfit can be used to intimidate the public.
A 32-year-old man is in police custody in Ashaiman after officers accused him of pretending to be a soldier and collecting money from members of the public.
The Tema Regional Police Command named the suspect as Bright Atsu Kudiabor. He was picked up on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m. at a spot in Ashaiman popularly called "I Shall Return".
How he was picked up
According to the Police, Kudiabor was not first arrested by officers. Personnel of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the state agency responsible for firefighting and rescue, held him with help from other people in the area and handed him over to the Ashaiman Police.
Police say a search on him after he was handed over turned up a set of military camouflage uniform. They also describe him as an ex-convict, meaning he has previously been convicted of an offence.
He remains in custody and is helping with investigations. The Tema Regional Police Command says he will be put before court once investigations are completed.
Why impersonating a soldier is taken seriously
In Ghana, only personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces are permitted to wear military uniform. The uniform carries authority on the street, and that is exactly what makes it useful to anyone who wants to frighten a trader, a driver or a passer-by into handing over money.
Ashaiman, a densely populated township in the Greater Accra Region next to Tema, has long been a place where security visibility matters to residents going about daily business in busy market and transport areas.
The Police used the arrest to appeal to the public to stay alert. They asked anyone who comes across a person falsely presenting themselves as a soldier, or as a member of any other security agency, in order to deceive or extort money, to report the matter.
What to watch next
The key detail still outstanding is the charge. Police have not yet said what offences Kudiabor will face, how many people are alleged to have paid him money, or how much was involved. Those details would normally emerge when the case reaches court.
At this stage everything against him is an allegation. Under Ghanaian law, he is presumed innocent until a court decides otherwise.
For Ghanaians abroad
For readers in the United States following news from home, this is a small case but a familiar type. Family members sending money or running small businesses in areas like Ashaiman are among those most exposed to people who use fake authority to demand cash. The Police advice is straightforward: verify, refuse, and report rather than pay quietly.
Reported first by Ghanaian Times on 2026-09-18. This article was written for our readers based on that report. Follow the link for the original coverage.
