Police arrest six over suspected armed robbery syndicate in Ashanti Region

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has apprehended six individuals suspected to be part of an organized armed robbery syndicate active in the region, according to an August 2026 report from the Ghanaian Times. The Anti-Armed Robbery Unit in Kumasi conducted the arrests following intelligence gathered by the Police. The suspects, identified by their aliases, include Philip Nyarko ("Kawawa"), Hadi Samed ("Toronto"), Issahaku Musah ("Isak"), Suraj Mohammed ("Baba Nde" or "Trouble"), Hadi Abdul Majeed ("Panie"), and Foster Owusu Afriyie ("Joe Fraizer").

Authorities claim the suspects are linked to various street robbery incidents across the Ashanti Region, including locations such as Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom, and Kwadaso Estate. Police recovered two motorcycles, two machetes, knives, an iPhone 13, five keypad mobile phones, a laptop, and 33 additional mobile phones connected to the alleged criminal activities.

In the course of the investigation, Augustine Agyemang Duah was arrested for allegedly assisting the group in unlocking stolen mobile phones. Three of the suspects had been previously arrested on December 6, 2025, for conspiracy and attempted robbery, released on bail, and reportedly returned to their criminal activities. The police are actively seeking Abdul Shattar, who remains at large, and five other individuals believed to be linked to the syndicate.

Authorities urge anyone with information about the suspects' whereabouts to report it to the authorities while cautioning the public against attempting to apprehend them. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the extent of the suspects' involvement, identify additional persons associated with the group, and recover more stolen property.

The arrested individuals will be processed for court as the investigation continues. The Ashanti Regional Police Command encouraged victims of mobile phone theft to contact the Police to assist in identifying recovered items. The Command expressed gratitude to the IGP’s Special Operations Team for their support in combating organized crime in the region.