Twelve members of a suspected highway robbery organization that is thought to be behind a slew of violent incidents throughout the region and abroad have been taken into custody by the Ashanti North Regional Police Command.
After around two months of intelligence-led investigations and surveillance, the arrests were made during operations on March 12 and 14, 2026.
Ashanti North Regional Commander ACP Felix Apedo briefed the media on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Regional Police Headquarters in Asante Mampong. He stated that the operation was carried out in Offinso, Nkenkaasu, Akomadan, Techiman, Chiraa, Sunyani, and surrounding areas in cooperation with the Police Intelligence Directorate (NOD/Surveillance Unit) in Accra.
He named some of the suspects as follows: Ibrahim Issiaka, 28, alias Jaaji, an escapee from the Jaima Police Station; Zakaria Fuseini, 28; Amadu Umaru, 30; Iddrisu Abubakar, 30; Issah Alhassan, 40; Dramani Rasak, 22, who is currently on bail for a murder case in Kumasi; Moro Yakubu, also known as Dogo, Taller, or Hajia Bintu.
Three locally produced shotguns, one locally produced pistol, nine live BB rounds, four cutlasses, a sword, two knives, forty-one cell phones, seven phone covers, a fertiliser bag used to hide the weapons, and three black hooded clothing items—one of which contained bloodstains—were all recovered by the police.
Robbery victims have identified several of the recovered cell phones, according to ACP Apedo.
He mentioned a number of instances connected to the suspects, such as an attack on the Nsuta–Hwidiem Old Junction Road on February 23, 2026, at around 4:20 a.m., in which armed individuals with shotguns, cutlasses, and sticks robbed drivers of approximately GH¢57,000 and cell phones.
According to investigations, Zakaria Fuseini received GH¢500 as his portion of the earnings after originally refusing to participate in one of the thefts because of Islamic fasting.
On January 29, 2026, thieves ambushed drivers along the Nkenkaasu–Darso section of the Kumasi–Techiman route, stealing cell phones and cash.
Around 9:30 p.m. on February 2, 2026, the suspects assaulted a VIP bus that was transporting 49 people along the same route. While the thieves stole money and cell phones, two female passengers were shot and injured.
According to police, the suspects had intended to launch another attack along the Akomadan–Darso road on March 14, 2026, but their arrest that same day put an end to the plan.
During questioning, the suspects also acknowledged their involvement in other robberies that occurred on the Mampong–Ejura road, at Offinso Kokoti, Wenchi, during the 2025 Sallah celebrations, in the Northern Region’s Buipe area, where a cow was taken, and in Obuasi, where a shootout with police resulted in the death of one suspect.
In an effort to stop armed robberies in the area, ACP Apedo said that efforts are being made to apprehend two other accomplices who are still at large. He also asked the public to provide the police with reliable information.
Source: newsthemegh.com