Ghana Police nab 10 armed robbers behind rural bank heists across five regions

The Ghana Police Service has arrested 11 members of a notorious criminal gang responsible for a series of armed robberies targeting rural banks across five regions of the country.

The arrests, announced by the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, mark the culmination of a six-month intelligence-led operation that dismantled the network behind 11 violent heists between April and September this year.

Addressing a press conference at the National Police Headquarters in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Yohuno revealed that the gang operated in the Ahafo, Ashanti, Eastern, Western, and Central regions, attacking banks and credit unions in towns such as Fomena, Offinso, Asokwa, Elmina, and Winneba.

"We immediately got to work after painstaking investigations, working with credible informants and analysing available data. I am pleased to announce that we have dismantled the gang behind these robberies,” the IGP stated.

14 weapons recovered, including stolen police rifles

Police recovered a total of 14 weapons, including three AK-47 rifles, seven pump-action guns, four pistols, and 96 rounds of ammunition.

Notably, two of the rifles were traced back to police officers who were attacked and disarmed during a robbery at Ecobank’s Ahafo Kenyase branch on September 8.

According to Commissioner of Police Lydia Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the gang’s operations were highly coordinated.

Armed with pump-action guns and electric cutting tools, the robbers typically struck in the early hours, overpowered security guards, and broke into bank vaults.

Killed officers and earlier crimes linked

In a significant development, one of the recovered weapons was identified as the service rifle of Corporal Francis Adu Yaw, who was killed during a robbery along the Bibiani-Goaso highway in November 2024.

This link suggests that the same gang was behind that fatal attack.

Gang leader ‘Cobra’ arrested, 14 others named

The major breakthrough came on September 18, when police arrested the gang leader, Kwasi Egyir, alias Cobra, at his hideout in Esereso Adagya.

A search of his residence led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles hidden in a sack submerged in a backyard pond.

During interrogation, Cobra reportedly named 14 accomplices, leading to multiple arrests in the Ashanti Region. Among those apprehended are:

Ibrahim Alhassan

Samuel Appiah, alias Kwasi Mugu

Francis Akwa, alias Preyman

David Ewobi, alias Wasti

Martin Akansina, alias One Billion

Three suspects killed, two on the run

Three members of the gang were killed in confrontations with police during the course of the operation. However, two suspects — Kwabena Owusu-Ansah, alias Kobi, believed to be the recruiter, and Nana Albert — remain at large.

Police say a manhunt is underway to bring them to justice.

Cash, vehicles, and valuables seized

In addition to the weapons, police recovered:

GH¢18,845 in cash

Foreign currencies including US dollars, Nigerian naira, CFA francs, and Liberian dollars

Six vehicles

Four motorbikes

Mobile phones and assorted jewellery

Commendations and promotions

The IGP commended the Ashanti Regional Police Commander and the officers involved in the operation.

As part of efforts to reward excellence, the Police Management Board has approved promotions for several officers, including three Chief Inspectors who have been elevated to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

"This success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of our officers,” Dr. Yohuno said. “We are also grateful to members of the public whose information led to the arrests.”

Suspects to face prosecution

The arrested suspects are currently in custody and will be processed for court in the coming days.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the gang’s criminal operations.

The IGP reiterated the Police Service’s commitment to fighting violent crime:

“We will continue to make life uncomfortable for criminal elements in our society. If you’re out there planning such crimes, know that we will pursue you until you are brought to justice.”

This operation is being hailed as a significant blow against organised robbery rings that have targeted financial institutions in rural Ghana.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith