The Ghana Police Service says it has arrested a suspected member of a robbery syndicate accused of targeting bank customers in Accra and Tema after they withdrew large sums of money.
Briefing the media in Accra, the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, said the syndicate monitored customers, allegedly used master keys to gain access to their vehicles and, in some cases, broke into the vehicles to steal cash.
The development follows weeks of surveillance by the office of the Special Operations Assistant to the Inspector-General of Police (SOA) after complaints about attacks on bank customers in the Greater Accra and Tema metropolitan areas.
According to the IGP, the suspects were allegedly linked to several incidents, including the robbery of a woman at Agbamaame in Tema Community 2 on 17 May 2026, shortly after she withdrew ¢50,000 from a bank.
On 11 June 2026, police say another customer was attacked at gunpoint at Achimota after withdrawing an unspecified amount from a bank and travelling home.
The investigation intensified after the suspected gang was reportedly spotted around banks along Spintex Road, Labone and Cantonments on 13 August 2026.
Police say the suspects positioned themselves around several banks in Labone while allegedly monitoring potential targets and preparing to launch an attack.
A swift police response reportedly foiled the planned robbery. Police say two suspects were shot, one escaped and another was arrested.
A search of a Toyota Highlander allegedly used by the suspects led to the recovery of a pistol and 13 different vehicle registration numbers, according to the Police.
Investigators further allege that the group brought vehicles into Ghana and changed Nigerian registration plates to Ghanaian plates as part of their criminal activities.
The arrested suspect, 49-year-old Augustine Okechukwu Maazi, has been remanded by the court and remains in custody.
Police say investigations are continuing as efforts are made to apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate.
The allegations against the accused persons are yet to be tested in court.
By Peter Quao Adattor/paqmediagh
