The Ghana Police Service has successfully dismantled a notorious criminal gang behind a series of violent rural bank robberies across multiple regions of the country.
According to the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Lydia Yaako Donkor, the breakthrough follows six months of sustained intelligence operations led by the Inspector-General of Police.
Weapons and Valuables Seized
Items recovered from the syndicate include:
- 3 AK-47 assault rifles
- 1 single-barrel gun with 1 AAA ammunition
- 7 pump-action guns with 96 rounds of AAA ammunition
- 3 Bruni pistols with 40 rounds of ammunition
- 1 M&P pistol with 4 rounds of ammunition
- Cash: GH¢18,845, $104, 190 Liberian dollars, ₦5,800, and CFA 31,000
- Assorted Ghanaian coins
- 6 vehicles and 4 motorbikes
- Several mobile phones and jewellery
Criminal Activities Across Regions
Ms. Donkor revealed that the syndicate, consisting of about 15 members, carried out robberies in the Ahafo, Western, Central, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions. Police have arrested 10 suspects, while 3 others were killed during a gun battle. A manhunt is underway for the remaining fugitives.
One of their recent attacks occurred at 3:30 am on Sunday, September 14, when the gang stormed the Saint Martins De Porres Cooperative Credit Union armed with pump-action guns and AK-47 rifles. They held a security guard and his wife hostage before fleeing with stolen cash. A loaded AK-47 magazine was later recovered at the scene.
Police Rifle Recovered from Gang
Investigations confirmed that one of the AK-47 rifles retrieved from the gang had been issued to the Ghana Police Service. The weapon, marked GH GP/ASH/TEPA/TP/B1523, belonged to Corporal Francis Adu Yaw of the Tepa District, who was tragically killed by armed robbers on the Bibiani-Goaso highway on November 29, 2024.
“This is an indication that this same gang committed that heinous crime,” Ms. Donkor stressed.
Police Commitment to Public Safety
The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to intensify anti-robbery operations and ensure the safety of lives and property. Authorities assured the public that all members of the syndicate will be brought to justice.
