The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has announced the successful dismantling of a criminal syndicate believed to be behind a string of violent bank robberies across the country.
According to the IGP, 10 suspects have been arrested while three others were killed in a shootout with officers.
Speaking at a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Accra on September 24, the IGP revealed that this success came after months of sustained operations.
“I’m delighted to announce that we have successfully dismantled the gang behind all these robberies. So far, we have successfully arrested 10 suspects. Three other suspects were shot dead in the course of the operation during a shootout with the police,” he said.
He added that a manhunt has been launched for the remaining suspects.
“We will not stop till we get them arrested.”
According to the IGP, police recovered a number of weapons during the operation.
“We were able to recover 14 weapons including AK-47 rifles, pump action guns, a single-barrel gun, pistols, ammunition, vehicles, mobile phones, among others,” he said.
The IGP commended the Ashanti Regional Commander and his intelligence team for their efforts, prompting a round of applause from the press room.
He also appealed to the public to support ongoing investigations.
“We urge the public to support us with information for successful investigations, and report suspected persons or activities to the police.”
Details of the Operations
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, provided further details on the arrests and the scope of the gang’s activities.
“Through sustained intelligence operations over a period of six months, the Ghana Police Service under the leadership of the IGP have successfully dismantled the notorious criminal syndicate who have been behind several robberies in various regions of the country,” she stated.
The syndicate, believed to have comprised of about 16 members, operated across the Ahafo, Western, Central, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions.
The ten arrested include:
Akwasia Agyei alias Cobra
Ibrahim Alhassan
Samuel Appiah alias Akwasi Mugu
Francis Acquah alias Preyman
David Obuobi alias Wosty
Martin Akansinah alias 1 Billion
Nana Yaw Frimpong alias Mystical
Kojo Atingawu alias Borga
Samuel Akwasi Gyan
Stephen Sei
Among the deceased are Kweku Peprah alias X5 and one known as Bozen.
Two suspects, Kwabena Owusu Ansah and one Albert remain at large.
The gang is alleged to have attacked a number of rural and commercial banks across the country, including:
Adansi Rural Bank (Fomena, Ashanti Region)
Lower Pra Rural Bank (Takoradi, Western Region)
Asokore Rural Bank (Asokwa, Ashanti Region)
Ahafo Kukom Rural Community Bank (Ahafo Region)
Ofinso Rural Bank (Ashanti Region)
Bosomtwe Rural Bank (Ashanti Region)
Kakum Rural Bank (Elmina, Central Region)
MRB Bank (Winneba, Central Region)
South Dream Rural Bank (Akyem Assin, Eastern Region)
Ecobank (Kenyase, Ahafo Region)
St. Martin de Porres Credit Union (Atonsu-Monaco, Ashanti Region)
COP Donkor stressed that the arrests mark a significant breakthrough but assured that police will continue to pursue the remaining suspects until they are brought to justice.
