Mystery Aircraft Landings Spark Security Concerns in Paga

Paga, Upper East Region Residents of Paga in Ghana’s Upper East Region have expressed growing concern after a mysterious aircraft with tail number 60171 reportedly landed several times at the local airstrip between December 28 and December 31, 2025, without any official explanation.

According to residents and local youth leaders, the aircraft landed repeatedly during the period, and attempts by community members and local security personnel to approach it were unsuccessful, as it allegedly took off abruptly each time.

On December 31, national security agencies reportedly intervened. However, eyewitnesses claim the occupants of the aircraft refused to cooperate with authorities. Despite this, the aircraft was later released following instructions from the regional police command, which described it as a “national security aircraft.”

The Paga Youth Movement says the repeated landings were carried out without prior notification to district or regional authorities, raising serious questions about oversight and coordination. The group further claims that even the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) was unaware of the aircraft’s presence at the airstrip, although this assertion has not been independently verified.

Unverified allegations circulating within the community suggest the aircraft may be linked to the United States Army and possibly involved in the movement of arms to the Sahel region. These claims have heightened anxiety due to Paga’s proximity to Burkina Faso, a country facing ongoing security challenges.

The youth group has called on national security agencies and government authorities to provide a full public explanation regarding the identity, purpose, and authorization of the aircraft’s operations in the area