Police Arrest 57-Year-Old Self-Styled Chief Over Viral Shoplifting Videos

The Eastern Regional Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man suspected of being behind a series of shoplifting incidents captured in videos that recently went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms.

The suspect, identified as Nsiah Samuel, is a self-acclaimed chief and minister of the gospel residing at Akrade in the Eastern Region.

According to the police, he was arrested on November 5, 2026, by the Somanya District Police Command following intelligence gathered in collaboration with the Borteyman Police in Accra.

Nationwide Trail of Alleged Thefts

Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect admitted to stealing consumable items, electronics, clothing and other goods from various retail outlets across the country.

The locations where the alleged thefts occurred span several regions: Kibi, Suhum, Ashaiman, Accra Central, Koforidua, Tema, Akosombo and Adenta. The breadth of the list suggests a pattern of offending that extended well beyond a single community, with the suspect allegedly targeting retail outlets in both the Eastern and Greater Accra regions over an extended period.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Borteyman Police for further investigations.

Public Vigilance Credited

In a statement dated November 7, 2026, the Ghana Police Service expressed appreciation to members of the public whose vigilance and sharing of information on social media contributed to the breakthrough and subsequent arrest.

The arrest follows the circulation of videos on social media purportedly showing shoplifting incidents, which generated public attention and calls for investigations. The case has become a notable example of how viral social media content can feed into criminal investigations when members of the public and law enforcement coordinate effectively.

The Man Behind the Videos

The suspect's profile has added a layer of public intrigue to the case. A self-described chief and minister of the gospel, Nsiah Samuel was allegedly captured in multiple videos in the act of concealing and removing items from shops.

The videos, which spread rapidly across TikTok and other platforms, prompted widespread outrage and speculation about the identity and motives of the man shown. The police statement did not specify the number of incidents captured on video or the total value of goods allegedly stolen.

A Growing Phenomenon

The case reflects a broader trend in Ghana's digital landscape, where CCTV footage and smartphone recordings of criminal activity frequently circulate on social media before formal complaints are lodged. In some instances, as with this arrest, public attention accelerates investigations. In others, viral content raises concerns about trial by social media and the presumption of innocence.

The Ghana Police Service has increasingly used social media to solicit information from the public and to publicise arrests, a practice that has yielded results in cases ranging from robbery to fraud.

As investigations continue, the Borteyman Police are expected to determine the full scope of the alleged offences and whether other suspects were involved. The suspect remains in custody pending further inquiries.