The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six suspected members and associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate operating in Kumasi and its surrounding communities, COP Arthur Akoto Osei, Ashanti Regional Commander has announced.
He said the arrests were made in August 2026 by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit, Kumasi, following intelligence-led operations aimed at combating armed robbery and other violent crimes in the Region.
The arrested suspects are Philip Nyarko, alias “Kawawa”, 23; Hadi Samed, alias “Toronto”, 20; Issahaku Musah, alias “Isak”, 23; Suraj Mohammed, alias “Baba Nde” alias “Trouble”, 27; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias “Panie”, 23 and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer”, 45.
The Police chief told a meeting with journalists that preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to a number of reported street robbery incidents at Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom, Kwadaso Estate and other locations within the Region.
He indicated that Exhibits recovered from the residence of Philip Nyarko, alias Kawawa, retrieved a Kawasaki motorcycle suspected to have been used in some of the criminal activities under investigation.
Other items recovered include two machetes, one iPhone 13 and five keypad mobile phones believed to belong to robbery victims.
He noted that investigations led to the arrest of Augustine Agyemang Duah of Adum P.Z., who is suspected of assisting members of the syndicate to unlock stolen mobile phones.
A laptop, believed to have been used for that purpose, was also retrieved and retained as an exhibit.
COP Akoto Osei also disclosed that on August 24, 2026 Issahaku Musah, alias “Isak”; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias “Panie” and Hadi Samed, alias “Toronto” were arrested at Atonsu, Aboabo and Asawase respectively and that a search at their homes led to the recovery of knives and machetes, suspected to be connected to the robberies.
He said the Police also arrested Fatawo Alhassan, alias “2Pac” and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer” at Airport Roundabout, Kumasi, suspected of purchasing stolen mobile phones from members of the syndicate.
The Police Commander noted that a search at Foster Owusu Afriyie’s residence led to the recovery of 33 assorted mobile phones believed to be the property of robbery victims who are yet to be identified.
He stated that Suraj Mohammed, alias “Baba Nde”, described as an accomplice and a leading member of the suspected syndicate, was also arrested at Asawase, where two motorcycles suspected to have been used in the crimes were recovered from his residence.
He noted that Philip Nyarko, alias “Kawawa”; Hadi Samed, alias “Toronto” and Abdul Shattar were previously arrested on December 6, 2025 for conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery, which case is still pending before the Asokwa Circuit Court 1.
According to the Police chief, the Police are intensifying efforts to apprehend other persons including Andy, Umaru, Dauda, Malik, Abdul Shattar and Abdul Farouk, suspected to be connected to the syndicate
He appealed to members of the public with information on their whereabouts to report to the Police and urged the public not to confront or attempt to arrest any suspect, but to allow the appropriate authorities to handle such matters professionally and safely.
He said the Ashanti Regional Police Command is investigating to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement, identify other persons connected to the syndicate, and recover additional stolen property.
He noted that the arrested suspects will be processed for arraignment before the appropriate court in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
He stated that the objective is not only to arrest individual suspects, but also to dismantle the suspected criminal network, recover stolen property and prevent further attacks on residents of the Ashanti Region.
The Regional Commander assured residents of the Kumasi Metropolis and the Ashanti Region that the Police remain vigilant and committed to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led operations and community collaboration.
He also appealed to persons who lost mobile phones or other property during robbery incidents to contact the Police to identify recovered exhibits.
The Commander expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team (SOT) for its continued operational and investigative support, which has contributed significantly to the detection of crime and disruption of organised criminal activities in the Region.
For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z
