The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has recorded a breakthrough in a string of car robbery cases across the country with the arrest of a convicted fugitive, Abubakari Sadick.
Sadick is believed to be the mastermind behind a notorious syndicate that targeted car rental services under false pretences. Posing as members of non-governmental organisations or religious groups, the suspects rented vehicles for alleged missionary activities in the northern parts of Ghana. However, once en route, often in remote areas, they overpowered drivers, tied them up, and made away with the vehicles.
In one instance, on 11th November 2022, Sadick rented a Toyota Land Cruiser for supposed missionary work in the Northern Region. Near Malzeri, close to Yendi, the driver was tied to a tree, and the vehicle was stolen. Similar incidents followed in January 2023 and April 2023, involving another Land Cruiser and a Toyota Vitz, respectively. The stolen vehicles were often sold in Bolgatanga or other parts of the country.
The police launched a sustained intelligence operation, which identified Abubakari Sadick as the lead suspect. He was placed on the Police Wanted List, the Immigration Stop List, and flagged with an Interpol Red Notice. In February 2023, authorities received information that Sadick had been arrested in Burkina Faso, but he escaped before extradition proceedings could be completed.
His eventual arrest occurred on 28th July 2025 in Accra, through a joint operation by the CID’s Anti-Armed Robbery Unit and National Security. He is currently in police custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.
It has emerged that Sadick was previously convicted in absentia by the Cape Coast High Court and sentenced to 25 years with hard labour for a 2021 robbery incident in Breman Asikuma. He is also implicated in several other car theft cases under investigation.
The Director General of CID, COP Lydia Yaakor Donkor, is urging car rental operators and victims of similar incidents to report to the CID Headquarters to assist with further investigations. Efforts are underway to track and arrest his accomplices.
By Peter Quao Adattor
