Police arrest suspects, recover 11 AK-47 rifles in major crackdown on robbery gangs

The Ghana Police Service has announced a series of major breakthroughs in its fight against armed robbery, revealing the arrest of several suspected criminals and the recovery of 11 AK-47 assault rifles, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other weapons.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, disclosed the developments at a press briefing at the National Police Headquarters on Monday, September 7, 2026.

According to the IGP, the operations followed months of intelligence gathering and targeted surveillance by specialised police teams across several regions, including Greater Accra, Western, Northern and Savannah.

He said the operations were part of efforts by the Police Administration to dismantle organised criminal networks, recover illegal firearms and prevent planned attacks.

“ My team and I remain committed to taking the fight to the criminals and making life uncomfortable for criminal syndicates,” Mr Yohuno said.

Suspect arrested over murder of missing couple

The IGP announced the arrest of a 32-year-old man, Abraham Awundok, in connection with the murder of Dr Jesse Amuah and his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Amuah Esi, who were reported missing in April 2026.

Police investigations reportedly established that the couple had been murdered, leading to searches of their residence and other locations linked to them.

Their remains were subsequently recovered and conveyed to the Police Hospital Morgue for preservation and autopsy.

Investigators later identified Awundok, who allegedly worked as an errand boy for the couple, as the prime suspect.

Police said he allegedly took the couple’s mobile phones, money and private vehicle before leaving Ghana for the United Arab Emirates.

He was subsequently declared wanted through an INTERPOL Red Notice and was deported from Dubai to Ghana on August 30, 2026, by investigators from the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit and INTERPOL.

The suspect allegedly admitted to the murders during interrogation and remains in police custody as investigations continue.

Police foil planned bank robbery in Accra

The Police also disclosed that they had foiled an alleged robbery attempt targeting banks in the Labone area of Accra.

The operation followed intelligence gathered on a suspected robbery syndicate allegedly targeting bank customers and monitoring financial institutions across the Greater Accra and Tema metropolises.

According to the IGP, the gang allegedly monitored customers after they withdrew large sums of money, using master keys to gain access to vehicles and, in some instances, breaking into them.

Police surveillance reportedly linked the group to a GH₵50,000 robbery at Agbamaame in Tema Community 2 on May 17, 2026, and another gunpoint attack on a customer at Achimota on June 11.

On August 13, police received information that members of the gang had been spotted at a bank on Spintex Road and were heading towards Labone and Cantonments.

The suspects were subsequently monitored in a black Hyundai Tucson and a Toyota Highlander.

Police said two alleged gang leaders, identified as Harrison Chinedu and Dan, were known to carry pistols.

The suspects were later found positioned between several banks in Labone, including Zenith Bank, GCB Bank and Ecobank, allegedly preparing to launch an attack.

A swift police intervention reportedly foiled the operation.

Two suspects were shot dead, one escaped, while another was arrested.

A search of the Toyota Highlander allegedly led to the recovery of 13 different vehicle registration plates and a Blow F90 pistol.

Investigators also established that the suspects allegedly imported vehicles into Ghana and replaced Nigerian registration plates with Ghanaian plates to facilitate their criminal activities.

A suspect identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi, 49, has been remanded into custody.

Five-member robbery gang dismantled

The Police also announced the dismantling of a robbery gang allegedly responsible for attacks on gold dealers, mining sites and communities in parts of the Western and Ashanti regions.

The operations, conducted between August and September 4, 2026, covered Wassa Akropong, Diaso, Dome, Abofour Camp and the Manso enclave.

Five suspects were arrested, while another suspect, Seidu Salifu, 40, died during the operation.

Police recovered three AK-47 assault rifles, five magazines, 357 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and two vehicles.

Those arrested include Clinton Mawuli, 33; Richmond Mensah, alias Master Abey; Daniel Sarfo, alias Abedi; Prince Duker; and another suspect.

The Police also disclosed the arrest of four suspects in connection with the robbery and murder of a 40-year-old gold buyer, Seth Kobina, at Agona Fie near Agona Nkwanta.

The suspects were identified as Amponsah, Christopher Seyiri, alias “Cross and Die”, 47; Bashiru Ibrahim, 20; Thomas Odoom, alias “Wale”, 30; and Isaac Quayeson, alias “Last Burial”.

Two locally manufactured pistols, five live BB cartridges, a metal bar and two cutlasses were retrieved.

Three arrested over Northern Region robberies

In the Northern Region, the Police Intelligence Directorate arrested three suspects over a series of armed robbery cases in Buipe, Tamale and Mion.

The suspects—Yacouba Oumar, Abdul Alhassan Kudus and Abdul Rahman Haruna, alias Saaga—are alleged to belong to a gang that operated with two AK-47 rifles and a pump-action gun.

Police said the gang allegedly operated along the Fumbisi-Yagaba road and sold stolen motorbikes to contacts in Tamale and Savelugu.

The suspects are also allegedly linked to the robbery and murder of a mobile money vendor at Fofulso, near the Damango junction, earlier this year.

All three remain in police custody, while efforts are underway to arrest other alleged accomplices and recover the remaining weapons.

Buipe robbery mastermind dies during police operation

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, died during a police operation.

Police had been searching for the suspect over the June 29 attack in which two mobile money vendors at the Buipe Cattle Market were robbed of GH₵430,000.

Investigators had earlier arrested Yacouba Oumar, 28, and recovered a pump-action gun, five live BB cartridges and a single-barrel gun believed to have been used in the robbery.

On September 5, police received intelligence on the whereabouts of Alhaji Imoro Beliko and placed him under surveillance.

The suspect allegedly attempted to escape when the police moved in and was shot. He later died from his injuries.

The Police Intelligence Directorate has since intensified operations in the area to safeguard traders and residents.

Gang leader, mother arrested over highway robbery

The Police also arrested the alleged leader of a gang linked to a highway robbery on the Enyiresi-Sekyere stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway on August 18, 2026.

The suspects include Obotan, identified as the gang leader; his mother, who allegedly concealed the weapon used in the robbery; Issaka Napson, accused of supplying weapons to the gang; Issaka Majeed; and Majeed Huzeifa.

A 14-year-old juvenile, who allegedly served as a lookout, was also arrested.

Searches of the suspects’ residences led to the recovery of an Adler pump-action gun, a double-barrel gun, three single-barrel guns, a locally manufactured pistol, cartridges, cutlasses, handcuffs, jack knives, pepper spray, a pinch bar, an ammunition pouch, a tactical vest and an unregistered Royal 125 motorbike.

Police said investigations are continuing to apprehend another suspect identified as Tanko.

Five arrested over illegal weapons trade

In another major breakthrough, the Office of the Special Operations Assistant to the IGP arrested five suspects allegedly involved in the trading of firearms between June and July 2026.

The suspects are Munkaila Yusif, alias Karyima, 34; Abdulai Fatawu Boniface, 32; Abdallah Imrana Gomda, 43; Sualesu Sheriffa, 20; and Ibrahim Adams, alias Ibru, 35.

Police recovered eight AK-47 assault rifles, one submachine gun and two foreign pistols.

The five suspects have been remanded by the Accra Circuit Court, with the case adjourned to Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The Police said other suspects believed to be involved in the illegal weapons trade are still at large and are being pursued.

IGP praises police, thanks public for intelligence

Mr Yohuno commended the officers who participated in the operations, describing their dedication and professionalism as critical to the successes recorded.

He also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the government for providing logistical support, particularly armoured vehicles and pickup trucks, which he said had contributed significantly to the operations.

The IGP further appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information on suspects who remain at large.

He urged the public to report such information to the nearest police station or through the Police Emergency Line, 191, assuring informants of strict confidentiality.

Mr Yohuno also acknowledged the role of the media in promoting public safety and accountability.

He ended with a strong warning to criminals, saying the Police Administration would sustain its operations and pursue offenders regardless of where they hide.

“No matter where you run, no matter where you hide, we will come for you,” the IGP said.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith