The Bono Regional Police Command has dismantled several notorious armed robbery networks and arrested eight suspects, including ex-convicts believed to be behind a series of robberies and other criminal activities in Bono and Ahafo regions.
In a separate targeted intelligence-led operation aimed at dismantling the criminal gang operations, the command recovered several weapons and suspected stolen items, including military camouflage uniforms.
The key suspects arrested during the one-month operation are Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, an ex-convict aged 47, Shadrach Owusu also known as Shark, 25 and Samuel Kwafo, 30, an ex-convict.
Others are Latif Mustapha popularly known as Star Boy, 28, Mosby Owusu, 20, Kofi Iddrisa, 45, Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, 18, and Foster Baba Kumi, 35.
The Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Joshua Coppson, at a press briefing in Sunyani on Monday [Dec 8], described the arrest as a "major breakthrough" achieved by the Command in its sustained fight against armed robbery and organised criminal activity in the region.
He explained that the suspects had been put before court for their involvement in a series of robbery and other criminal related activities in the regions.
DCOP Coppson said police investigations uncovered that on November 18, 2025, some of the gang members led by Diawuo attempted to rob some persons on the Berekum-Drobo Road.
He said, however, due to the timely intervention of the Police Patrol Team, that robbery was foiled.
DCOP Coppson said during separate interrogations, suspects Kwafo and Owusu confessed their involvement in the attack and identified Diawuo as their leader and mastermind.
He said they further admitted their involvement in several other robbery attacks, particularly the Nkaseim enclave in the Asutifi South District in the Ahafo Region.
DCOP Coppson said Diawuo was arrested at his hideout at Nyamennae, a suburb of Berekum.
Search
He said when the police conducted a search in his room, it retrieved quantities of Indian hemp, two motorcycle helmets, and two machetes, explaining that the items had been retained as exhibits for evidential purposes.
DCOP Coppson said in another operation at Berekum and its environs, the Regional Police Intelligence (PID) team arrested Mustapha and Owusu at Domfete near Berekum.
He said when the police also conducted a search in the Mustaph's room, it retrieved one full set of military camouflage uniform and a military jacket, one black Cruxnut Glock toy gun, two live and three spent soft foam bullets, a Taser and one pair of military boots.
Others he mentioned were pepper spray, one kitchen knife, three jack knives, several talismans and war regalia, five pairs of scissors, one spanner and fourteen pieces of toffee suspected to be laced with Indian hemp, one HP laptop, one NEC laptop, one swimming goggle and one long screwdriver.
DCOP Coppson said police investigations again uncovered one Parabellum Model R-9 Hungarian pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in the single room accommodation of suspect Owusu.
He said "interrogation revealed that the said weapon was the property of Mustapha, who allegedly sold it to Owusu for the sum of GHC 9000 but continued to take custody of the weapon from time to time".
DCOP Coppson added that Iddrisa and Kumi were arrested at Ewiakrom, near Nkrankwanta in the Dormaa West District for their involvement in the dishonest receipt of stolen motorcycles and tricycles.
He said the two suspects also facilitated the conveyance of the items to neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire, adding that three motorcycles and one tricycle were retrieved from them.
Assurance
However, DCOP Coppson assured the public that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the remaining accomplices who were currently at large and to recover other illicit weapons used in the commission of these crimes.
He called on the public to assist the Police with credible information that would lead to the arrest of all persons connected to criminal activities to enhance safety and security across the region.
Write's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh
