The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has foiled a planned robbery operation along the Antoakrom–Manso Nkwanta stretch following intelligence that a gang of armed robbers had converged in a bushy area to attack commuters.
Acting on the intelligence on December 31, 2025, a police team swiftly moved to the location, where they encountered four armed suspects. Upon sighting the police, the suspects opened fire and attempted to flee, prompting the officers to return fire.
During the exchange, two suspects—Usmaro Mohammed and Yaw Frimpong, also known as Nana Yaw—sustained gunshot wounds. Two other suspects escaped into the bush.
A search of the area led to the recovery of:
- One AK-47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition
- One pump-action gun loaded with four BB cartridges
- Four spent cartridges
- A black bag containing 16 live cartridges
- One Toyota VOXY vehicle, believed to have been used by the suspects
Police say the suspects are linked to several robbery incidents in Manso and Obuasi, including the Mpohor gold robbery, the Nyinahini highway robbery, and a cocoa shed robbery at Sefwi.
Preliminary investigations have further revealed that the suspects operated with accomplices in Mankranso, Tamale, and Brekum, who are currently on the run.
The two injured suspects were pronounced dead on arrival at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital.
Meanwhile, police investigations are ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices and to establish the ownership of the impounded vehicle.
