Police Arrest 57-Year-Old Man for Viral Shoplifting Incidents

The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man, Nsiah Samuel, in connection with a series of alleged shoplifting incidents captured in a viral video on social media platforms. Samuel, who resides at Akrade in the Eastern Region, describes himself as a chief and a minister of the gospel. He was arrested on November 5, 2026, by the Somanya District Police Command following intelligence gathering in collaboration with the Borteyman Police in Accra.

According to a police statement issued on November 7, Samuel admitted during interrogation to stealing consumable items, electronics, clothing, and other goods from retail outlets in several parts of the country. The locations of the incidents include Kibi, Suhum, Ashaiman, Accra Central, Koforidua, Tema, Akosombo, and Adenta, among others. The police said Samuel has since been handed over to the Borteyman Police for further investigations.

The Eastern Regional Police Command expressed gratitude to members of the public whose vigilance and sharing of information on social media contributed to Samuel's arrest. The police command's swift action was made possible by the widespread dissemination of the viral video on TikTok and other social media platforms. The incident highlights the role of social media in aiding law enforcement efforts.

In a separate incident, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has interdicted two officers over an alleged illegal scheme involving the issuance of Ghanaian Service Passports to unqualified individuals in exchange for money. The officers are the Acting Director of Passports, Mahama Yahaya Amantana, and a junior Foreign Service Officer, Alhassan Sumani. The Ministry referred both officers to the Ghana Police Service for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The alleged scheme had been operating since 2023, with preliminary findings confirming that 10 individuals who did not qualify for Service Passports were issued the documents between January 2023 and August 2026 after allegedly making illegal payments to a syndicate. The Ministry named the beneficiaries as Richard Sakyi Apenteng, Augustina Agyei Boateng, Juliet Amankwa, Rebecca Agyeiwaa, Prince Ahensah, Maybel Ahensah, Twumasi Francis Kwame, Gyabaah Anthony, Frederick Ennin, and Bosompem Richard.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed its commitment to improving passport administration in the country, highlighting reforms introduced under the government of President John Dramani Mahama. These include the introduction of chip-embedded passports that meet international standards, the establishment of Passport Application Centres in all 16 regions, 24-hour operations, free courier delivery, and an electronic tracking system.

In another development, Nana Thomas Kwame Okrah Debrah, the Amansie West District Coordinating Director, has been enstooled as the Amantiahene and Omanhene Mponuahene of the Akyem Bosume Traditional Area. The ceremony, which was attended by various traditional leaders and officials, marked the assumption of the stool name Obrempon Otupiri Okrah Debrah of the Akyem Amantia in the Asante Akyem South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.

Key points

• The suspect, Nsiah Samuel, admitted to stealing goods from multiple retail outlets across Ghana.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs interdicted two officers for their alleged involvement in an illegal passport scheme.
• Nana Thomas Kwame Okrah Debrah was enstooled as the Amantiahene and Omanhene Mponuahene of the Akyem Bosume Traditional Area.