Police gun down two suspected robbers

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has foiled what authorities describe as a planned armed robbery operation following an intelligence-led intervention near Manso Antoakrom in the Ashanti Region.

According to police sources, actionable intelligence received on December 31, 2025, suggested that a group of suspected armed robbers had converged along the Antoakrom–Manso Nkwanta road, allegedly positioning themselves to launch attacks on motorists and commuters using the stretch.

Acting swiftly on the information, the Police Command deployed a patrol team to the area to verify the intelligence and prevent any potential criminal activity. Upon arrival, officers reportedly encountered the suspects, who attempted to escape the scene.

Police say the situation escalated when the suspects allegedly opened fire on the patrol team. Officers responded in self-defence, leading to an exchange of gunfire. As a result, two of the suspects were shot, while two others, believed to have sustained injuries, managed to flee into nearby bushes.

The injured suspects were immediately transported under police escort to the Bekwai Government Hospital for medical attention. However, they were pronounced dead on arrival by medical personnel.

Police have identified the deceased as Mohammed Umaru, aged 28, and Yaw Frimpong, popularly known as Nana Yaw, aged 26.

A thorough search of the scene and surrounding area led to the retrieval of several items believed to have been used in criminal operations. These include an AK-47 rifle loaded with four rounds of ammunition, a pump-action shotgun containing four BB cartridges, four spent BB cartridges, and a black bag holding sixteen live cartridges. Officers also impounded a black Toyota Voxy vehicle with registration number AS 6412-25, which police believe was intended for use during the planned robbery.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, ACP Cephas Arthur, said preliminary investigations have linked the suspects to a number of violent robbery cases across different parts of the country. These include the Mpohor gold robbery, in which gold valued at approximately $3.2 million was stolen, the Nyinahini highway robbery that claimed the life of a Voxy driver, and a cocoa shed robbery at Sefwi.

ACP Arthur reiterated earlier appeals to the public for the voluntary surrender of illegal firearms, cautioning that individuals found in possession of such weapons would face arrest and prosecution.

He further disclosed that police operations are ongoing to track down the escaped suspects and any accomplices. The public and health facilities have been urged to promptly report individuals seeking medical care for suspected gunshot wounds to the nearest police station or directly to the Ashanti South Regional Police Command.

Police say investigations remain active as efforts continue to dismantle criminal networks operating within the region.