By Daniel Bampoe
The Ghana Police Service has intensified its campaign against armed robbery and organised criminal networks, announcing a series of major arrests, weapons recoveries and international operations that have led to the disruption of suspected robbery gangs across several regions.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, speaking at a press briefing at the National Police Headquarters on September 7, 2026, said the latest successes were the result of weeks of intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated operations targeting criminal networks in different parts of the country.
The IGP said the Police Administration had remained committed to making life difficult for criminal syndicates, insisting that the latest operations demonstrated the Service’s determination to pursue suspects regardless of where they attempted to hide.
According to him, towards the end of the first quarter of 2026, the Police monitored the activities of suspected criminal gangs operating in the Western, Northern, Savannah and Greater Accra regions, subsequently deploying specialised intelligence teams to work with the various Regional Police Commands.
The operations, he said, resulted in several arrests and the recovery of firearms, ammunition, vehicles and other exhibits.
Among the cases highlighted was the murder of medical doctor Dr Jesse Amuah and his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Amuah Esi, whose disappearance in 2026 had generated concern among their relatives and the wider public.
Errand Boy Arrested After Dubai Escape
Police investigations into the disappearance of the couple eventually focused on their 32-year-old errand boy, Abraham Awundok.
The Police said investigations established that Awundok had murdered the couple before taking their mobile phones, money and private vehicle and subsequently leaving Ghana for the United Arab Emirates.
The couple’s remains were recovered after searches were conducted at their residence and other locations they were believed to have visited, with information provided by family members also assisting investigators.
The remains were conveyed to the Police Hospital Morgue for preservation and autopsy.
After Awundok fled the country, the Ghana Police Service worked with INTERPOL and had him declared wanted through an INTERPOL Red Notice.
The international pursuit eventually led investigators to Dubai, where Awundok was deported to Ghana on August 30, 2026, by a team from the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit and INTERPOL.
The Police said the suspect admitted to the murder during interrogation.
He remains in police custody while investigations continue.
Bank Customers Targeted by Alleged Robbery Syndicate
The IGP also disclosed details of investigations into a suspected robbery syndicate that allegedly targeted bank customers and was believed to be planning attacks on banks in the Greater Accra and Tema metropolitan areas.
According to Mr Yohuno, concerns about the activities of suspected criminals targeting bank customers were brought to his attention in the early part of April 2026.
The information indicated that members of the suspected group monitored bank customers, used master keys to gain access to vehicles and, in some instances, broke into vehicles after their victims had conducted transactions.
The group was also suspected of planning attacks on banks.
The IGP consequently tasked the office of the Special Operations Assistant to the IGP to conduct surveillance on suspected members of the group operating around banks in Greater Accra and Tema.
Police said the suspected syndicate was spotted operating around banks on June 9 and June 11, 2026, using a Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Tucson.
Investigators also linked the group to a robbery at Agbamaame in Tema Community 2 on May 17, where a woman was allegedly robbed of GH¢50,000 after withdrawing the money from a bank.
On June 11, the gang allegedly attacked a young man at gunpoint at Achimota after he had withdrawn an unspecified amount of money from a bank and was travelling home.
Labone Bank Attack Foiled
The investigation reached another critical point on August 13 when the surveillance team reportedly received information that the suspected gang had been seen at a bank on Spintex Road and was heading towards Labone and Cantonments.
Police monitored two vehicles allegedly being used by the group—a black Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-19 and an ash-coloured Toyota Highlander with registration number GS 1434-18.
According to the Police, suspected gang leaders identified as Harrison Chinedu and Dan were believed to be armed with pistols.
The suspects were subsequently spotted at Labone, where police said they had positioned themselves between Zenith Bank, GCB Bank and Ecobank, allegedly monitoring the institutions in preparation for an attack.
A police intervention reportedly foiled the planned operation.
Two suspects were shot, one escaped and another was arrested.
A search of the Toyota Highlander allegedly led to the recovery of 13 different vehicle registration numbers and a Blow F90 pistol.
Police investigations reportedly indicated that the suspects brought vehicles into Ghana and changed Nigerian number plates to Ghanaian registration plates for use in their alleged criminal activities.
One accused person, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, 49, has been remanded by the court and remains in lawful custody.
Three AK-47s and 357 Rounds Recovered
The Police also announced the dismantling of another robbery gang allegedly operating across Wassa Akropong, Diaso, Dome, Abofour Camp and the Manso enclave.
The intelligence-led operations were conducted between August and September 4, 2026.
Police said the gang had been involved in attacks targeting gold dealers’ shops, mining sites and communities.
The operations resulted in the arrest of five suspects, while one other suspect died during the operation.
Police recovered three AK-47 assault rifles, five magazines, 357 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and two vehicles.
Those arrested included Clinton Mawuli, 33; Richmond Mensah alias Master Abey; Daniel Sarfo alias Abedi; and Prince Duker, among others.
Another suspect, Seidu Salifu, 40, who was linked to other robbery incidents at Sakam near Offinso and was standing trial at the Nsuta Circuit Court over the alleged robbery of gold bullion at Offinso Abofour in July 2025, died during the operation.
In a related operation on August 21, the Western Regional Police Command arrested suspects in connection with the robbery and murder of a 40-year-old gold buyer, Seth Kobina, at Agona Fie near Agona Nkwanta.
Suspects identified as Amponsah, Christopher Seyiri alias “Cross and Die”, 47; Bashiru Ibrahim, 20; and Thomas Odoom alias “Wale”, 30, were arrested around Agona Nkwanta.
Another suspect, Isaac Quayeson alias “Last Burial”, was arrested at Denkyira Kwaboso in the Western North Region.
Police said two locally manufactured pistols, five live BB cartridges, a metal bar and two cutlasses were retrieved.
Special police teams have subsequently been deployed to affected communities to strengthen security.
Three Arrested Over Buipe, Tamale and Mion Robberies
In the northern part of the country, the Northern Regional Police Intelligence Directorate arrested three suspects over a series of armed robberies allegedly committed in Buipe, Tamale and Mion.
The Police said the gang was believed to operate with two AK-47 assault rifles and a pump-action gun, targeting victims along the Fumbisi-Yagaba road.
Investigators also believe stolen motorbikes were sold to contacts in Tamale and Savelugu.
The suspects have been identified as Yacouba Oumar, Abdul Alhassan Kudus and Abdul Rahman Haruna alias Saaga.
According to the Police, the suspects were also responsible for the robbery and murder of a mobile money vendor at Fofulso near Damango Junction earlier in 2026.
All three suspects are in custody assisting investigations, while police continue efforts to arrest other alleged accomplices and recover the weapons.
Buipe Cattle Market Mastermind Dies During Operation
The Police also disclosed the death of a 60-year-old man alleged to be the mastermind behind the robbery and murder at the Buipe Cattle Market.
Alhaji Imoro Beliko, also known as Alhaji Yacouba, Masaji, Muimen or Yakubu, was wanted by the Police over allegations that he contracted robbers and supplied them with weapons to attack people carrying large sums of money at the market.
The case dates back to June 29, 2026, when two mobile money vendors at the Buipe Cattle Market were attacked and robbed of GH¢430,000.
Initial investigations led to the arrest of Yacouba Oumar, 28, and the recovery of a pump-action gun, five live BB cartridges and a single-barrel gun believed to have been used during the robbery.
On September 5, the Police Intelligence Directorate Headquarters received information concerning the whereabouts of Alhaji Imoro Beliko.
A police team reportedly placed him under surveillance at the cattle market area.
The Police said he attempted to escape during the operation, was shot and later died from his injuries.
Intelligence operations have since been intensified in the area to protect traders and other members of the community.
Mother Accused of Hiding Weapon for Highway Robbers
Another investigation has led to the arrest of an alleged robbery gang leader, his biological mother and other suspected accomplices over a highway robbery on the Enyiresi-Sekyere stretch of the Accra-Kumasi highway.
The robbery occurred on August 18, 2026.
The alleged gang leader, identified only as Obotan, was arrested alongside his mother, who police said concealed the weapon allegedly used during the robbery at her residence.
Other suspects arrested include Issaka Napson, identified as the alleged supplier of weapons to the gang; Issaka Majeed; and Majeed Huzeifa.
A 14-year-old juvenile who allegedly served as a lookout for the robbers was also arrested.
Police searches at the suspects’ residences reportedly resulted in the recovery of an ADLER pump-action gun, a double-barrel gun, three single-barrel guns, a locally manufactured pistol, ammunition, cutlasses, handcuffs, jack knives, pepper spray, a pinch bar, an ammunition pouch, a tactical vest and an unregistered Royal 125 motorbike.
All the suspects remain in police custody assisting investigations, while police continue efforts to arrest another suspect identified as Tanko.
Eight AK-47s Seized in Weapons Trafficking Investigation
In another major operation, five suspects were arrested between June and July 2026 over alleged trading in firearms.
The operation, conducted by the office of the Special Operations Assistant to the IGP, resulted in the recovery of eight AK-47 assault rifles, one SMG rifle and two foreign pistols.
The suspects were identified as Munkaila Yusif alias Karyima, 34; Abdulai Fatawu Boniface, 32; Abdallah Imrana Gomda, 43; Sualesu Sheriffa, 20; and Ibrahim Adams alias Ibru, 35.
The five suspects have reportedly been remanded into lawful custody by the Accra Circuit Court.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday, September 8, 2026, while police continue to pursue other suspects believed to be at large.
IGP Thanks Mahama Government for Police Logistics
Concluding the briefing, IGP Yohuno commended officers involved in the various operations, praising their dedication and professionalism in protecting lives and property.
He said the Police Administration would continue to recognise and reward personnel whose work contributes to the Service’s operational successes.
The IGP also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the government for providing logistical support to the Police.
He specifically highlighted the provision of armoured vehicles, particularly pick-up vehicles, which he said had been instrumental in the recent operations.
Mr Yohuno further appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence on suspected criminals.
He urged anyone with information about suspects still at large to report to the nearest police station or call the Police Emergency Line on 191, assuring the public that information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
