In a significant operation, the Ghana Police Service has apprehended members of an alleged armed robbery ring said to have been responsible for plundering gold dealers, mining sites and towns in parts of Ashanti and Western Regions. Newscard
Between August and 4th September 2026, a series of intelligence-led exercises aimed at thwarting activities of suspects led to the arrest of five (5) individuals whereas one suspect perished during one of the operational activities.
The suspects, Police say, had at least three AK-47 rifles, 357 rounds of ammunition, five magazines and two vehicles in their possession.
The suspected robbers were said to be operating in Wassa Akropong, Diaso, Dome, Abofour Camp, Manso enclave as gold dealers and mining firms appeared to be their targeted individuals though they were not certain on how these robbers were carrying out their criminal activity.
The five were identified by the Police as Clinton Mawuli, age 33, Richmond Mensah (alias Master Abey), Daniel Sarfo (alias Abedi) Prince Duker and a fifth whose name was not made available in entirety by the Police.
The other victim of Police operation Seidu Salifu, 40 years, was, however, unfortunately confirmed killed while conducting Police operations.
The late Salifu was a suspect involved in other robberies at Sakam near Offinso and also appeared as an accused at Nsuta circuit court for an alleged robbery involving gold bullion at Offinso Abofour in July 2025. Editorial Standards
These latest arrests, says Police, was part of ongoing efforts to arrest all organized criminal groups preying on Ghanaian mining and gold activities that are quite pervasive in the latter part of this country.
Attacks on gold dealers in their profession and mining firms in general lead citizens of the region to feel unsafe and thus pose security threats to their lives.
The Police maintained their operational success hinged mostly on the collection of intelligence and were further said to have recover all items used in their criminal dealings that could form part of evidence.
Separately but days earlier on the 21st of August 2026 five persons believed to be linked to the murder and armed robbery of 40 year old gold buyer Seth Kobina in Agona Fie near Agona Nkwanta within the same region have also been arrested by Police through series of investigations to identify all culprits at each crime scene.
Those who are thought to have been part of the act have been named as Amponsah, Christopher Seyiri a.k.a “Cross and Die” aged 47, Bashiru Ibrahim, 20 and Thomas Odoom also a.k.a “Wale” aged 30.
Another, a further fifth person believed to be working as a part of a group was arrested in the Western North Region at Denkyira Kwaboso.
This individual was Isaac Quayeson, a.k.a “Last Burial”. A metal bar, two cutlasses and some two localized fabricated pistols, accompanied by about five live BB cartridges were found at this crime scene by the Police and this will be used to help investigations proceed efficiently.
These Police also mentioned that evidence was duly recovered and investigations had already started to know exactly what had happened within the crime scene during robbery and killing involved.
The suspects at hand still on Police custody would be properly prosecuted and found culpable would face severe punishment by the laws.
The Ghana Police Service however stressed that none of the suspects at the various locations under the operations arrested to that point have been successfully convicted of any offenses.
Police stated that in cases of accusation there is always the “innocent until found guilty” principle and that all accused persons have the benefit of judicial proceedings.
The operation follows ongoing worries over insecurity on account of mining within those zones.
Miners and gold dealers, naturally having plenty of capital have and do carry risks because gold has immense financial backing and also people involved are seen to be carrying huge sum of money and other items needed in mining.
The fear being inflicted on residents and workers involved with gold activities may have come from those incidents and the Police hoped to reduce crime rates in the stated areas.
It all appears, that intel, which can form part of investigative processes for all suspects, play a rather key role. Corrections Policy
It is predicted that such weapons and items could only be held by criminals for those reasons aforementioned since their seizure by the Police will definitely aid in the ongoing detective duties to ensure that the real thugs are apprehended, identified and ultimately taken to justice with a further aim of finding more links by the robbers across region so all criminals would face the ramifications for their deeds.
Five persons are still in police cells assisting investigations following the robbery and murder charges they were alleged to have committed earlier in year at Agona Fie.
Two Locally manufactured guns were seized from the five armed persons. One suspect whose name was not readily released to media, confessed of a series of robberies on those places to aid with some part of the detective duty the Police are embarking upon to identify all criminals involved at every crime scene so no perpetrator goes free with their sentence of jail and possible more.
They were believed to be the men responsible for targeting gold miners and traders in Wasa Ampong and Diaso within August this year, killing some miners through armed violence and looting their precious items and also robbing gold dealers on the street.
The Police further claimed to be conducting some urgent operations to enhance security within localities plagued by the crime wave so that every citizen would be safer and would remain in able to conduct daily routines without fear whereas investigations would not be hampered.
Investigations continue in efforts to establish whether the people arrested during Police raids in August may be in collaboration.
These operations are to assist Police in obtaining detailed background information on the criminals to allow for further actions being taking toward their complete apprehension and charging.
It has been also mentioned that their investigations will aim at discovering the source from which they acquired the three assault rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition recovered, alongside any more criminal accomplices within the nation or region at large.
Their findings were believed would shed more light onto criminal activities.
The security deployment will also provide more peace and quiet within the targeted regions and all citizens are urged to volunteer information they might know that could help Police to carry on investigations efficiently to bring all offenders to justice at any time and that all suspects being arrested shall face maximum punishment from the Judiciary according to law should they be tried in the Court of competent jurisdiction and proved to be culpable for such crimes.