The Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service has confirmed the killing of three suspected armed robbers during a security operation aimed at preventing a planned highway robbery along the Anwiankwanta–Obuasi Highway.
According to an official police statement released on Monday, December 29, 2025, the incident occurred on December 24, 2025, when officers acting on intelligence tracked the suspects to a bushy area between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu junction. The suspects had reportedly converged at the location to execute a robbery operation.
The deceased suspects were identified as Seidu Issah, Musah Yakubu, and Yahaya Munkaila, also known as Tijani. Police said officers came under gunfire upon encountering the group and returned fire in self-defense, resulting in the death of the three suspects. Two other members of the gang managed to escape and are currently being pursued.
Weapons and Ammunition Retrieved
Following the exchange of gunfire, police retrieved a cache of weapons and ammunition from the scene, including:
- Two pump-action guns loaded with ammunition
- One unbranded pistol
- Twenty-five live cartridges
- Six spent cartridges
The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
Linked to Multiple Violent Robberies
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were behind several violent robberies in the Ashanti Region. These include the Jacobu airport robbery on November 3, 2025, which resulted in the death of a security guard, as well as multiple highway robberies along the Manso stretch. Other reported attacks linked to the gang include robberies at Antoakrom, the Abofour forest near Offinso, and an attack on a gold buyer at Anwiankwanta on December 8, 2025.
Follow-Up Operation Yields More Firearms
In a follow-up operation conducted on December 26, 2025, police raided a palm plantation near Manso Nkwanta, believed to be a hideout where the suspects stored weapons. During the operation, officers recovered:
- One AK-47 assault rifle
- One MG3 rifle
- One pump-action gun
- One single-barreled gun
- Assorted ammunition and personal items
The Police Service says investigations are ongoing to trace the sources of the recovered firearms and to arrest accomplices who remain at large.
“Strenuous efforts are underway to trace the sources of the weapons and arrest accomplices currently on the run,” the statement emphasized.
The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely information to help combat crime across the country.
