The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects believed to be members or associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate operating in the region.
The Ashanti Regional Police Anti-Armed Robbery Unit carried out the arrests in August 2026 as part of efforts to clamp down on robbery-related activities and dismantle criminal networks in the region.
Addressing journalists on Monday, August 31, 2026, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, said preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to several reported street robbery incidents in different parts of the region.
The incidents occurred at Kaase, Ahinsah Estates, Santasi New Sites, Broni Krom, Kwadaso Estates and other locations, he said.
The suspects have been identified as Philip Nyarko, alias Kawawa, 23; Hadi Samed, alias Toronto, 20; Issahaku Musah, alias Isak, 23; Suraj Mohamed, alias Baba Nde, also known as Trouble, 27; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias Panie, 23; and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias Joe Fraizer, 45.
“During August 2026, the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit, Kumasi, acting on intelligence, arrested six persons suspected to be members or associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate operating within the region,” DCOP Akoto said.
He said a search of Philip Nyarkoh’s residence led to the recovery of a Kawasaki motorcycle, reportedly with a 600cc engine, which the police suspect may have been used in some of the criminal activities under investigation.
The police also recovered two machetes, an iPhone 13 and five keypad mobile phones suspected to belong to victims of robbery.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Augustin Agyemang Duah, a resident of Adum PZ, suspected of helping members of the syndicate unlock mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
A laptop suspected to have been used to unlock the phones was recovered from his residence and retained as an exhibit.
According to DCOP Akoto, on August 24, 2026, Issahaku Musah, Hadi Abdul Majeed and Hadi Sameh were arrested at Atonsu, Aboabo and Asawase respectively.
Searches conducted at their respective residences resulted in the recovery of knives and machetes suspected to be connected to the reported robbery incidents.
The police also arrested Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias Joe Fraser, at the Airport Roundabout in Kumasi.
DCOP Akoto said the two were suspected of purchasing stolen mobile phones from members of the syndicate.
A search conducted at Foster Owusu Afriyie’s residence resulted in the recovery of 33 mobile phones believed to have been stolen from robbery victims.
“Efforts are underway to identify the rightful owners and establish the circumstances under which the phones were obtained,” he said.
The Police Commander further disclosed that two of the suspects, together with another suspect who is currently on the run, had previously been arrested, detained and granted bail in December 2025 in connection with robbery and attempted robbery cases.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command said investigations were ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in the reported robberies and identify other persons who may be connected to the syndicate.
