In a major breakthrough for national security, the Ghana Police Service has dismantled the “Duku Syndicate,” a ruthless criminal network linked to a string of violent car-jackings and murders across the Ashanti and Western Regions.
The intelligence-led operation, overseen directly by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, culminated today in the arrest of several suspects and the death of the gang’s kingpin.
A Trail of Violence and High-Profile Targets
The syndicate’s operations were marked by extreme violence. Among their documented crimes is the brutal murder of Eric Amankwa (father-in-law of Goldbod CEO Sammy Gyamfi) during the robbery of his Toyota Hilux pickup.
The gang is also held responsible for the murder of the driver to the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), whose vehicle was also snatched.
“The police would not spare individuals or gangs whose actions threaten public peace and safety,” warned IGP Yohuno during a press briefing at the Ashanti Regional Police Command.
The Takedown: Intelligence and Internal Betrayal
The downfall of the Duku Syndicate began following the murder of Mr. Amankwa on February 10 at Owhim Amanfrom. A coordinated effort by the CID Anti-Robbery Unit was bolstered by an unexpected lead: an internal rift within the gang.
- Informant Lead: A gang member, allegedly disgruntled after being denied his share of robbery proceeds, volunteered critical intelligence regarding the kingpin’s whereabouts.
- Physical Evidence: A second suspect was apprehended in possession of a Samsung mobile phone belonging to the late Mr. Amankwa, providing a direct forensic link to the crime scene.
- The Final Confrontation: Police intercepted the gang today, February 23, as they prepared for a new operation. The ringleader, known only as Duku, sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter and later succumbed to his injuries.
Sophisticated Operations and Forgery Links
Investigations have revealed that the Duku Syndicate was more than a street gang; it was a sophisticated criminal enterprise.
| Recovered Exhibits | Criminal Reach |
| Burnt locally-manufactured pistol | 9 vehicle-snatching operations in Tarkwa (Western Region) |
| Tracking detection device | Stolen vehicles sold in Paga (Upper East Region) |
| Forged vehicle documents & plates | Alleged collaborators within the DVLA |
| Toyota Corolla S & 8 rounds of ammo | Multiple mobile phones belonging to victims |
DCOP Osei Akoto Arthur, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, noted that preliminary findings suggest the gang had “inside” help at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) to facilitate the production of forged registration numbers and plates for stolen vehicles.
Next Steps for Justice
Three suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be arraigned in court within the coming days. Police operations are still active as authorities track down the remaining buyers and collaborators connected to the network in the Upper East Region.
The IGP has commended the professionalism of the officers involved, citing this as a significant victory in the fight against organized transit crime in Ghana.
