Police intensifies crackdown on cybercrime, violent offences and organised robbery

The Ghana Police Service has stepped up its nationwide crackdown on cybercrime, violent offences and organised robbery, resulting in multiple arrests through coordinated intelligence-led operations.

Addressing a press briefing at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, the Director-General of the Public Affairs Directorate (PAD), DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, disclosed that the operations—led by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team and the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit—have yielded significant breakthroughs.

She revealed that two suspects were arrested for allegedly creating and circulating AI-generated deepfake content targeting President John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Mahama.

The suspects, identified as Bernard Mensah, also known as “Charity Quaicoe,” and Michael Ebo Safo, were apprehended on March 28, 2026, following digital forensic investigations.

According to DCOP Ansah-Akrofi, the suspects used manipulated videos and impersonation accounts on Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through coordinated disinformation campaigns.

In a separate development, she noted that police also arrested 49-year-old John Kwabena Owusu-Ansah for issuing threats against a High Court judge in a viral video.

The arrest followed a petition by the Judicial Service after the video, which contained threats and abusive language against Justice Patricia Quansah, gained widespread circulation online.

The Police further made a breakthrough in a murder case in the Eastern Region, arresting Eric Kenny, 40, in connection with the killing of Enoch Obiri at Soronko Farms near Obomofodensua in the Suhum Municipality.

Investigations indicate the suspect allegedly attacked the deceased over a domestic dispute before going into hiding.

Additionally, four suspects have been arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies targeting jewellery shops in Accra and Takoradi between April and October 2025.

The suspects—Abdul Aziz Mamoud (alias Justin Martin), Abubakar Mamoud, Edgar Donkor and Donatus Donkor—were picked up at Anyaa and Osu on March 24, 2026.

DCOP Ansah-Akrofi identified Abdul Aziz Mamoud, an American national, as the alleged mastermind behind the robbery operations, which involved smashing glass display units and making away with jewellery worth millions of cedis.

Items retrieved from the suspects include a toy pistol, motorbikes, masks, gloves and jewellery casings linked to the crime scenes.

She added that the suspects have reportedly admitted to the crimes and have provided leads on an alleged receiver of the stolen items, who is currently being pursued by police.

DCOP Grace Ansah-Akrofi commended officers for their professionalism and thanked the public for their support, urging citizens to remain vigilant, verify information before sharing, and report suspicious activities.

She reaffirmed the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to maintaining law and order, assuring that all perpetrators of crime will be brought to justice.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith