Ashanti Police arrest six over series of robberies, recover 33 phones

By Hubeyidatu Mumuni 

The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate believed to be behind a series of street robberies in parts of the region.

The arrests, carried out by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit throughout August 2026 based on intelligence, have also led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been stolen during the robberies.

According to the Police, preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to robbery incidents recorded at Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom and Kwadaso Estate.

The suspects have been identified as Philip Nyarko, alias “Kawawa”; Hadi Samed, alias “Toronto”; Issahaku Musah, alias “Isak”; Suraj Mohammed, alias “Baba Nde” or “Trouble”; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias “Panie”; and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer”.

The Police said the operation resulted in the recovery of two motorcycles, machetes, knives and several communication devices, including an iPhone 13, five keypad mobile phones, a laptop and 33 other assorted mobile phones.

The investigation has also led to the arrest of Augustine Agyemang Duah, who is suspected of assisting the syndicate by unlocking stolen mobile phones.

The Police further disclosed that some of the suspects had previously been arrested in connection with robbery-related offences.

“Philip Nyarko alias ‘Kawawa’, Hadi Samed alias ‘Toronto’ and Abdul Shattar were previously arrested on 6th December 2025 for conspiracy to commit crime, namely robbery, and attempted robbery,” the statement said.

The three were subsequently arraigned before the Asokwa Circuit Court 1 and granted bail, with the case still pending.

The Police said that following their release, “investigations indicate that some of the suspects allegedly resumed their criminal activities.”

Meanwhile, the Police have launched a manhunt for Abdul Shattar, who is currently at large, as well as five other persons identified as Andy, Umaru, Dauda, Malik and Abdul Farouk, who are suspected to be connected to the syndicate.

The Command has urged members of the public who have information on the whereabouts of the wanted persons to contact the Police and cautioned them against attempting to apprehend the suspects themselves.

The Police said investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other persons connected to the alleged network.

The arrested suspects are expected to be processed for arraignment before the appropriate court.

The Ashanti Regional Police Command also expressed appreciation to the IGP’s Special Operations Team for its support in detecting crime and disrupting organised criminal activities.

It has further appealed to persons who have lost mobile phones or other valuables during recent robbery incidents to contact the Police to assist with the identification and recovery of their properties.

The statement was signed by Superintendent Godwin Ahianyo, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command.