General News
Ashanti Police Arrest Six Suspected Members of Organised Armed Robbery Syndicate
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six persons suspected to be members or associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate believed to be operating in parts of the Ashanti Region.
The arrests were made in August 2026 by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit in Kumasi as part of intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting armed robbery and other violent crimes in the region.
According to the Police, preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to several reported street robbery incidents in different parts of the Ashanti Region.
The six suspects have been identified as:
Philip Nyarko, alias “Kawawa”
Hadi Samed, alias “Toronto”
Issahaku Musah, alias “Isak”
Suraj Mohammed, alias “Baba Nde”, also known as “Trouble”
Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias “Panie”
Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer”
Police sources indicate that the suspects are aged 23, 20, 23, 27, 23 and 45, respectively.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command said the suspects are being investigated over their alleged involvement in street robbery incidents reported at Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom, Kwadaso Estate and other locations within the region.
The intelligence-led operation has also led to the recovery of several items believed to be connected to the alleged criminal activities.
The exhibits recovered include: Two motorcycles, two machetes, Knives, one iPhone 13, five keypad mobile phones, one laptop,33 assorted mobile phones, and other items suspected to be linked to the activities under investigation
As part of searches conducted at the residences of the suspects, Police reportedly recovered a Kawasaki motorcycle with a 600cc engine from the residence of Philip Nyarko.
Investigators suspect that the motorcycle may have been used in some of the activities under investigation.
Further searches at the residences of other suspects also resulted in the recovery of knives and machetes.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Augustine Agyemang Duah, who Police suspect assisted members of the alleged syndicate in unlocking mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
A laptop suspected to have been used in unlocking the phones was recovered from his residence and retained by the Police as an exhibit.
The Police also suspect that Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer”, purchased stolen mobile phones from members of the alleged syndicate.
A search of his residence reportedly resulted in the recovery of 33 mobile phones believed to have been taken from robbery victims.
Investigators are currently working to identify the rightful owners of the phones and determine how they came into Foster Owusu Afriyie’s possession.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command further disclosed that Philip Nyarko, Hadi Samed and Abdul Shattar had previously been arrested on December 6, 2025, in connection with allegations involving conspiracy to commit crime, including robbery and attempted robbery.
The three were subsequently arraigned before Asokwa Circuit Court 1 and granted bail.
The case remains pending before the court.
According to the Police, investigations conducted after their release indicated that some of the suspects allegedly returned to criminal activities.
Abdul Shattar, who was previously arrested with some of the suspects, is currently at large, according to the Police.
The Command has intensified efforts to locate and apprehend him, as well as other persons suspected of having links to the alleged syndicate.
The persons being sought have been identified as: Andy, Umaru, Dauda, Malik, Abdul Farouk
The Police have appealed to anyone with credible information about the whereabouts of the wanted persons to contact the Police.
Members of the public have, however, been cautioned not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspects themselves.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command said investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement in the reported robbery cases.
Investigators are also working to identify other persons who may be connected to the alleged syndicate and recover additional stolen property.
The arrested suspects are expected to be processed for arraignment before the appropriate court in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The Police stressed that being arrested or suspected of an offence does not in itself establish guilt, and that the guilt or otherwise of the accused persons will ultimately be determined through the judicial process.
The Command has also appealed to residents who may have lost mobile phones or other property during robbery incidents to contact the Police and assist investigators in identifying the recovered exhibits.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has assured residents, particularly those within the Kumasi Metropolis, of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led and targeted operations.
The Command also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team (SOT) for its operational and investigative support in detecting crime, apprehending suspects and disrupting organised criminal activities in the region.
The Ghana Police Service’s Anti-Armed Robbery Unit is a specialised unit responsible for investigating armed robbery and related cases.
The Police have again encouraged anyone who believes their property may be among the recovered exhibits to come forward and assist investigators with identification.
Statement issued by the Ashanti Regional Police Command’s Public Affairs Unit on August 31, 2026, and signed by Superintendent of Police Godwin Ahianyo, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, Ashanti Region.