Two suspected armed robbers have been shot dead following a police operation that disrupted a robbery gang operating along the Obuasi–Dunkwa highway in the Ashanti Region.
The operation, carried out by the Ashanti South Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service on March 10 and 11, followed intelligence that a group of armed men had gathered in a bush along the highway to stage a robbery attack.
Police say a team was immediately dispatched to the location near Obuasi after receiving the information.
Upon arrival, officers reportedly spotted about four young men armed with guns. The suspects allegedly opened fire when they noticed the police, leading to an exchange of gunshots.
During the confrontation, two of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds while the remaining two fled into the bush. Police believe the escapees may also have been injured.
The injured suspects were later identified as 42-year-old David Aheto, originally from Sogakope but residing in Asin Fosu, and 32-year-old Illiasu Bawa, a native of Banda Nkwanta in the Savanna Region.
Both men were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival by a medical officer.
Police say preliminary investigations link the suspects to a series of armed robberies in Obuasi, Dunkwa-on-Offin, Wasa Akropong and Asin Fosu.
A search of the scene led to the recovery of several weapons and ammunition, including an AK-47 assault rifle loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and a pump-action shotgun loaded with five live BB cartridges. Police also retrieved eight additional rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and one spent BB cartridge.
Further intelligence gathered by investigators revealed that the gang may have been connected to a wider illegal arms supply network operating in Asawase in Kumasi.
Police say one suspect, Alhaji Abdalah, is alleged to have sold the recovered AK-47 rifle to the gang for GH₵45,000. He is also suspected of supplying other weapons, including a G3 rifle and a pistol, to another alleged gang member, Samuel Agyei, also known as Africa, who is currently on remand at Wasa Akropong.
A follow-up operation conducted on March 11 led to the arrest of another suspect, Aminu Iddrisu, also known as 0244. Police say he later led officers to a sheep pen at Moshie Zongo in Kumasi, where an AK-47 rifle and a Bruni pistol had been concealed inside a sack.
Investigators also arrested 24-year-old Daniel Debrah in connection with the case. A search carried out during his arrest led to the recovery of an unregistered red Toyota Corolla saloon car believed to be part of the proceeds from robberies allegedly carried out by the deceased suspect David Aheto.
Police say suspects Abdalah Alhassan, Jemini Usman alias Babamu, Aminu Iddrisu alias 0244 and Daniel Debrah are currently in custody assisting with investigations.
Meanwhile, security agencies have launched a manhunt for other suspected members of the gang, including a man identified as Mallam Aminu.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command says it remains committed to cracking down on armed robbery and illegal firearms trafficking in the region.
