The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six suspected members and associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate linked to a wave of street robberies across several suburbs in the Kumasi Metropolis.
The arrests were made during intelligence-led operations conducted throughout August 2026 by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit in Kumasi, with support from the Inspector-General of Police’s (IGP) Special Operations Team.
At a press briefing in Kumasi today, the Regional Police Commander, COP Osei Akoto, stated that preliminary investigations directly connect the suspects to multiple robbery incidents in areas including Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom, and Kwadaso Estate.
The primary suspects apprehended in the swoop include Philip Nyarko, 23, alias “Kawawa”; Hadi Samed, 20, alias “Toronto”; Issahaku Musah, 23, alias “Isak”; Suraj Mohammed, 27, alias “Baba Nde” or “Trouble”; Hadi Abdul Majeed, 23, alias “Panie; and Foster Owusu Afriyie, 45, alias “Joe Frazier”.
A subsequent operation at Adum P.Z led to the arrest of Augustine Agyemang Duah, who is accused of serving as the syndicate’s technician by unlocking stolen mobile phones.
Police retrieved a laptop from Duah’s residence, which is believed to have been used to unlock the stolen devices.
During searches across various suspects’ residences, police recovered significant evidence, including 38 mobile phones, 33 of which were seized at the residence of Foster Owusu Afriyie, who is suspected of purchasing stolen items.
The police also confiscated three motorcycles, including a high-powered Kawasaki bike from Nyarko’s residence, along with three machetes, several knives, and an iPhone 13.
COP Akoto noted with concern that three of the suspects, Philip Nyarko, Hadi Samed, and an accomplice identified as Abdul Shattar, had previously been arrested on 6 December 2025 for conspiracy and attempted robbery.
They were granted bail by the Asokwa Circuit Court One, while trial was pending, after which some of them allegedly resumed their criminal operations.
”Our 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,” COP Akoto stated.
Police have launched an intensive manhunt for six additional suspects currently at large, identified as Andy, Umaru, Dauda, Malik, Abdul Farouk, and the court-bailed suspect, Abdul Shattar.
”I appeal to members of the public who may have information on the whereabouts of these persons to report to the Police,” COP Akoto said, urging the “public not to confront or attempt to apprehend any suspect, but to provide the information to the Police and allow the appropriate authorities to handle such matters professionally and safely.”
The Police Command urged members of the public who have recently fallen victim to street robberies to contact the station to identify recovered items.
COP Akoto stated that all seven arrested suspects are currently being processed to face legal proceedings in court.
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