The Ghana Police Service has dismantled a criminal gang linked to a series of armed robberies at rural banks across five regions. Ten suspects have been arrested, and 14 weapons, including AK-47 rifles stolen from slain police officers, have been recovered.
Inspector-General of Police, Dr Christian Tetteh Yohuno announced the arrests during a press conference at the National Police Headquarters on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. He said the gang had attacked banks between April and September, using the same methods in different locations.
The six-month operation, which relied on intelligence gathering and surveillance, led police to hideouts in the Ahafo, Western, Central, Eastern, and Ashanti regions, including towns such as Esereso, Adagya, Ejisu, and Obuasi.
“We immediately got to work after painstaking investigations, working with credible informants and analysing available data,” Dr Yohuno said. “I am pleased to announce that we have dismantled the gang behind these robberies.”
Three suspects were killed in confrontations with police, while two others are still on the run.
Series of robberies
The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, Commissioner of Police Lydia Donkor, stated that the gang carried out 11 attacks, beginning on April 10, 2025, at the Adansi Rural Bank in Fomena and concluding on September 14, 2025, at the St. Martin de Porres Cooperative Credit Union in Atonsu Monaco.
She explained that the group always struck in the early hours of the morning, armed with pump-action guns. They held security guards hostage, seized their weapons, and used electric cutting machines to break into bank vaults.
Banks attacked included the Lower Pra Rural Bank at Shama, Asokore Rural Bank in Asokwa, Nwabiagya Rural Bank at Offinso, Bosomtwe Rural Bank at Suntreso, Kakum Rural Bank at Elmina, Mfantseman Rural Bank in Winneba, South Birim Rural Bank at Achiase, and Ecobank’s Ahafo Kenyase branch.
Arrest of leader
The breakthrough came on September 18 when intelligence officers arrested the gang leader, Kwasi Egyir, also known as Cobra, at his hideout at Esereso Adagya. A search of the property uncovered two AK-47 rifles buried in a sack in a pond behind his house.
“The weapons were police rifles snatched from officers on duty at Ecobank’s Kenyase branch on September 8, 2025,” COP Donkor said.
She added that Cobra named 14 accomplices during interrogation, leading to more arrests across the Ashanti Region. Among those arrested were Ibrahim Alhassan, Samuel Appiah alias Kwasi Mugu, Francis Akwa alias Preyman, David Ewobi alias Wasti, and Martin Akansina alias One Billion.
Link to earlier murder
Police also recovered an AK-47 rifle that belonged to Corporal Francis Adu Yaw, who was killed by armed robbers on the Bibiani-Goaso highway on November 29, 2024.
“This is an indication that the same gang committed that crime,” COP Donkor said, suggesting the group was involved in the murder of the officer as well as the bank robberies.
Weapons and cash seized
Items recovered included three AK-47 assault rifles, seven pump-action guns with 96 rounds of ammunition, three Bruni pistols, one M&P pistol, six vehicles, and GH¢18,845 in cash. Police also found foreign currencies including US dollars, Liberian dollars, Nigerian naira, and CFA francs.
Four motorbikes, mobile phones, and assorted jewellery were also seized from different hideouts.
Commendations and promotions
Dr Yohuno praised the Ashanti Regional Police Commander and his team for their role in the operation. The Police Management Board has approved promotions for several officers, including three Chief Inspectors who have been elevated to Assistant Superintendents of Police.
“I also commend other officers who played important roles in this operation,” Dr Yohuno said, adding that members of the public who provided information helped make the arrests possible.
Manhunt ongoing
Two suspects remain on the run. They are Kwabena Owusu-Ansah, also known as Kobi, believed to have recruited others for the robberies, and a man identified as Nana Albert. Police say efforts to arrest them are ongoing.
The arrested suspects are in custody and will face court soon. Investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the group’s activities.
Dr Yohuno assured the public that the police would “continue to make life uncomfortable for criminal elements in our society” and warned that “we will pursue you until you are brought to justice.”
The operation is regarded as an important success in Ghana’s fight against violent crime, especially attacks on financial institutions in rural areas.