The Ghana Police Service has arrested 20 suspects and recovered 11 AK-47 assault rifles, other firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting robbery syndicates across the country.
The operations, conducted in the Western, Northern, Savannah and Greater Accra regions between April and September this year, also resulted in the arrest of suspects linked to the murder of a missing couple, bank robbery attacks, highway robberies and the Buipe Cattle Market robbery.
Briefing the media at the National Police Headquarters in Accra last Monday afternoon, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said the operations formed part of the police's efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks and recover illegal weapons, explaining that special intelligence teams had been deployed to work with regional commands after intelligence was gathered on criminal gangs across the country. "I am happy to announce that all these operations proved successful. In all, we arrested several suspects and retrieved weapons and ammunition, among several other exhibits," he said.
On the missing couple case, the IGP disclosed the arrest of 32-year-old Abraham Awundok in connection with the murder of Dr Jesse Amuah and his wife, Elizabeth Esi Amuah, who were reported missing in April this year. He said investigations led police to suspect the couple had been murdered, prompting searches that led to the recovery of their remains, which were conveyed to the Police Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy. Yohuno said investigations established that Awundok, who worked as an errand boy for the couple, had murdered them and taken their mobile phones, money and private vehicle before fleeing the country for the United Arab Emirates. He was declared wanted via an INTERPOL Red Notice and deported from Dubai to Ghana on August 30, 2026. "During interrogation, the suspect admitted to the murders and remains in police custody while investigations continue," Yohuno said.
The IGP also disclosed that police foiled an alleged robbery attempt targeting banks in the Labone and Cantonments areas of Accra. He said police had, since April, been monitoring a suspected syndicate believed to be targeting bank customers, using master keys to open their vehicles and, in some cases, breaking into vehicles after customers withdrew money. He cited a GH¢50,000 robbery at Agbamaame in Tema Community 2 on May 17, and a June 11 gunpoint attack at Achimota. On August 13, police received information that gang members had been spotted near a Spintex Road bank heading towards Labone and Cantonments. "The operation led to two suspects being shot dead, one escaping and another being arrested," Yohuno said. A search of a Toyota Highlander allegedly used by the gang turned up 13 vehicle registration numbers and a Blow F90 pistol. Investigations revealed the suspects allegedly brought vehicles into the country and changed Nigerian number plates to Ghanaian registrations for their criminal activities. One suspect, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, 49, has since been remanded by the court.
In the Western Region, Yohuno said police dismantled a gang accused of attacks on gold dealers' shops, mining sites and communities in Wassa Akropong, Diaso, Dome, Abofour Camp and the Manso enclave. The operation, conducted between August and September 4, resulted in five arrests and the death of another suspect, alongside the recovery of three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, 357 rounds of ammunition and two vehicles. One of the suspects who died, Seidu Salifu, 40, was linked to robbery incidents at Sakam near Offinso and had been standing trial over the robbery of gold bullion at Offinso Abofour in July 2025. In a separate operation on August 21, the Western Regional Police Command arrested four suspects over the robbery and murder of 40-year-old gold buyer Seth Kobina at Agona Fie near Agona Nkwanta.
In the Northern Region, the Police Intelligence Directorate arrested three suspects, Yacouba Oumar, Abdul Alhassan Kudus and Abdul Rahman Haruna, alias Saaga, in connection with a series of armed robberies in Buipe, Tamale and Mion, accused of operating with two AK-47 rifles and a pump-action gun. The IGP said the suspects were linked to the robbery and murder of a mobile money vendor at Fofulso, near Damango Junction, earlier this year, and were allegedly involved in robberies along the Fumbisi-Yagaba road and the sale of stolen motorbikes to contacts in Tamale and Savelugu.
Yohuno further announced the death of the alleged mastermind of the Buipe Cattle Market robbery and murder, identified as 60-year-old Alhaji Imoro Beliko, also known as Alhaji Yacouba, Masaji, Muimen or Yakubu. He said the trader allegedly contracted robbers and supplied weapons to attack people carrying large sums of trading money. The robbery, which occurred on June 29, involved two mobile money vendors robbed of GH¢430,000. Police intelligence led officers to the suspect's whereabouts on September 5; he attempted to escape when approached and was shot, later dying from his injuries.
The IGP also announced the arrest of a suspected gang leader and others in connection with a highway robbery on the Enyiresi-Sekyere stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway on August 18. The suspects include the alleged gang leader, identified as Obotan; his mother, who allegedly concealed the weapon used in the robbery; and Issaka Napson, identified as the alleged weapons supplier. Two others, Issaka Majeed and Majeed Huzeifa, were also arrested, alongside a 14-year-old juvenile who allegedly served as a lookout.
Yohuno also disclosed the arrest of five persons suspected of trading in firearms between June and July 2026, resulting in the recovery of eight AK-47 assault rifles, one SMG rifle and two foreign pistols. "The suspects have been remanded in custody by the Accra Circuit Court, with the case adjourned to September 8," he said, adding that police were pursuing other suspects who remained at large.
