The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six persons suspected to be members and associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate operating in parts of the region.
The arrests were made in August 2026 by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit, Kumasi, following intelligence-led operations.
The suspects have been identified as Philip Nyarko, alias “Kawawa”, 23; Hadi Samed, alias “Toronto”, 20; Issahaku Musah, alias “Isak”, 23; Suraj Mohammed, alias “Baba Nde” and “Trouble”, 27; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias “Panie”, 23; and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer”, 45.
According to the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP Osei Authur, preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to a number of reported street robbery incidents at Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom, Kwadaso Estate and other locations within the region.
The Police said a Kawasaki motorcycle was recovered from the residence of Nyarko, which investigators suspect may have been used in some of the criminal activities under investigation.
Two machetes, an iPhone 13 and five keypad mobile phones suspected to belong to robbery victims were also recovered.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Augustine Agyemang Duah, a resident of Adum P.Z., who the Police suspect assisted members of the syndicate in unlocking mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
A laptop suspected to have been used for the activity was recovered from his residence and retained as an exhibit.
More arrests and recoveries
On August 24, 2026, the Police arrested Musah, Majeed and Samed at Atonsu, Aboabo and Asawase respectively.
Searches conducted at their residences resulted in the recovery of knives and machetes suspected to be connected to the reported robbery incidents.
The Police also arrested Fatawo Alhassan, alias “2Pac”, and Foster Owusu Afriyie at the Airport Roundabout in Kumasi.
The two are suspected of purchasing stolen mobile phones from members of the alleged syndicate, the Police said.
A search of Afriyie’s residence resulted in the recovery of 33 assorted mobile phones believed to be the property of robbery victims.
The Police said efforts were underway to identify the rightful owners of the phones and establish the circumstances under which they were obtained.
Suraj Mohammed, whom the Police described as an alleged accomplice and leading member of the suspected syndicate, was also arrested at Asawase.
Two motorcycles were recovered from his residence and are suspected to have been used in some of the criminal activities under investigation.
Some suspects previously arrested
The Police said Nyarko, Samed and another suspect, Abdul Shattar, had previously been arrested on December 6, 2025, for conspiracy to commit crime, namely robbery, and attempted robbery.
They were arraigned before the Asokwa Circuit Court 1, where the case remains pending, and were subsequently granted bail.
The Police said investigations indicated that some of the suspects allegedly resumed criminal activities after their release.
Shattar is currently at large, while efforts are being made to locate and arrest him.
Six persons wanted
The Police are also pursuing six other persons suspected to be connected to the alleged syndicate.
They have been identified only by the names Andy, Umaru, Dauda, Malik, Abdul Shattar and Abdul Farouk.
The Police have appealed to the public to provide information that could assist in locating the wanted persons.
The public has, however, been cautioned against confronting or attempting to apprehend any suspect and instead to report information to the Police.
Investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in the reported robberies, identify other persons who may be connected to the suspected syndicate and recover additional stolen property.
The arrested suspects are expected to be processed for arraignment before the appropriate court.
The Regional Police Command said its objective was to dismantle the suspected criminal network, recover stolen property and prevent further attacks on residents in the Ashanti Region.
It also urged residents, particularly those who may have lost mobile phones or other property during robbery incidents, to contact the Police if they recognise any of the recovered exhibits.
The Command further commended the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team (SOT) for its operational and investigative support, saying the collaboration had strengthened intelligence-led operations and contributed to the detection of crime and apprehension of suspects in the region.
The Police assured residents of the Ashanti Region, particularly those in the Kumasi Metropolis, of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, vehicles, motorcycles and activities.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
