By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Ashanti North Regional Police Command has announced the arrest of 12 members of a suspected highway robbery syndicate believed to be responsible for a series of violent attacks across the region and beyond.
The arrests were carried out during police operations on March 12 and 14, 2026.
According to Ashanti North Regional Commander, ACP Felix Apedo, the arrests followed two months of intelligence-led investigations and surveillance.
Briefing the media on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the Regional Police Headquarters in Asante Mampong, ACP Apedo said the operation was conducted in Offinso, Nkenkaasu, Akomadan, Techiman, Chiraa, Sunyani, and surrounding areas, in collaboration with the Police Intelligence Directorate (NOD/Surveillance Unit) in Accra.
He identified some of the suspects as Seidu Fuseini, alias Baali, an ex-convict released in 2022; Dramani Rasak, 22, currently on bail for a murder case in Kumasi; Moro Yakubu, also known as Dogo, Taller, or Hajia Bintu, an ex-convict; Ibrahim Issiaka, 28, alias Jaaji, an escapee from the Jaima Police Station; Zakaria Fuseini, 28; Amadu Umaru, 30; Iddrisu Abubakar, 30; and Issah Alhassan, 40.
Police say they retrieved three locally manufactured shotguns, one locally made pistol, nine live BB cartridges, four cutlasses, a sword, two knives, 41 mobile phones, seven phone covers, a fertiliser bag used to conceal the weapons, and three black hooded outfits, one of which had bloodstains.
ACP Apedo said robbery victims have identified some of the retrieved mobile phones.
He cited several incidents linked to the suspects, including a February 23, 2026, attack at about 4:20 a.m. on the Nsuta–Hwidiem Old Junction Road, where motorists were robbed of about GH¢57,000 and mobile phones by armed men wielding shotguns, cutlasses, and sticks.
Investigations also revealed that Zakaria Fuseini initially declined to take part in one of the robberies due to Islamic fasting but later received GH¢500 as his share of the proceeds.
In another incident on January 29, 2026, robbers attacked motorists along the Nkenkaasu–Darso stretch of the Kumasi–Techiman highway, making away with cash and mobile phones.
On February 2, 2026, at about 9:30 p.m., the suspects attacked a VIP bus carrying 49 passengers along the same stretch. Two female passengers sustained gunshot wounds, while the robbers took cash and mobile phones.
Police said the suspects had planned another attack on March 14, 2026, along the Akomadan–Darso road, but the plan was foiled following their arrest on the same day.
According to the command, the suspects, during interrogation, also admitted involvement in other robbery incidents on the Mampong–Ejura road, at Offinso Kokoti, Wenchi during the 2025 Sallah festivities, the Buipe area in the Northern Region, where a cow was stolen, and in Obuasi, where one suspect was killed during a shootout with police.
ACP Apedo said efforts are underway to arrest two other accomplices who remain at large and urged the public to assist the police with credible information to help combat armed robbery in the area.
