The Ghana Police have broken up a well-coordinated armed robbery syndicate believed to be behind a string of violent attacks on rural banks across the country, in an operation that left three suspects dead and led to the arrest of ten others.
The announcement came Wednesday from Inspector-General of Police Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno during a press briefing at the National Police Headquarters in Accra. Calling it a "major breakthrough," Dr. Yohuno detailed the culmination of months-long surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts targeting a network of criminal operatives active in five regions.
“These arrests mark a turning point in our fight against violent organized crime,” Yohuno said. “The group we have dismantled was responsible for a disturbing trend of coordinated attacks on financial institutions, particularly in underserved communities.”
Authorities say the syndicate had been under scrutiny for nearly a year after police observed patterns in robberies that suggested centralized planning and execution. Operations were carried out in the Ahafo, Western, Central, Eastern, and Ashanti regions, with police units conducting coordinated raids in more than a dozen towns, including Obuasi, Ejisu Achiaakrom, and Buoho near Kronum.
According to police, the suspects opened fire during several attempted arrests, prompting officers to return fire. Three suspects were fatally shot. A manhunt is underway for additional members believed to have fled during the crackdown.
Recovered from the scenes were a cache of weaponry—including AK-47 rifles, pump-action shotguns, pistols, and a single-barreled gun—along with stockpiles of ammunition, vehicles, and mobile phones. Authorities did not immediately disclose the total value of assets seized or the number of bank robberies linked to the group.
The IGP praised the Ashanti Regional Police Command for its intelligence work and acknowledged the contributions of citizens who shared information with law enforcement.
“I want to thank members of the public who risked their safety to provide credible intelligence,” Yohuno said. “Our success today is a direct result of that cooperation.”
He also reaffirmed the Service’s broader strategy to disrupt organized crime networks and called on the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts.
“We will not relent,” he said. “Those who think they can terrorize communities and escape justice should know we are watching—and we will act.”
The operation comes amid increased concern over criminal activity in rural financial sectors, where limited security infrastructure has made small banks vulnerable targets. The Ghana Police Service has stepped up its focus on community-based crime prevention and continues to solicit public assistance through confidential tip lines.
The latest arrests are part of a broader effort by Ghanaian authorities to bolster national security and restore public confidence in the country’s financial institutions.
