ACCRA, Sept 24 (The African Portal) – Ghana’s police say they have dismantled a criminal gang accused of carrying out a string of armed robberies on rural banks across five regions.
Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno told reporters in Accra that 10 suspects had been arrested following a six-month intelligence-led operation. Three others were killed in gunfights with officers, while two remain on the run.
The operation, which spanned the Ashanti, Ahafo, Western, Central and Eastern regions, led to the recovery of 14 weapons — including AK-47 rifles believed to have been stolen from police officers — as well as vehicles and mobile phones.
Police say the gang was behind at least 11 robberies between April and September, including attacks on rural banks in Fomena, Shama, Elmina, Winneba and Obuasi. Officers said the group typically struck in the early morning, seizing security guards’ weapons and using electric cutting tools to break into vaults.
The breakthrough came when police arrested the alleged ringleader, Kwasi Egyir — known as Cobra — at his hideout in Esereso Adagya. Weapons buried in a pond behind his home were later recovered.
The IGP Yohuno commended the public for assisting investigations and warned: “We will continue to make life uncomfortable for criminal elements in our society. We will pursue them until they are brought to justice.”