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After six months of sustained intelligence operations, the Ghana Police Service has dismantled a notorious criminal syndicate responsible for a wave of violent bank robberies across the country.
The gang, estimated to comprise about 15 members, carried out multiple armed robberies targeting rural and commercial banks in the Ahafo, Western, Central, Eastern, and Ashanti Regions.
Arrests and Deaths
So far, police have arrested 10 suspects, while three were killed in shootouts during operations. Two others remain at large.
Those in custody include:
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Akwesi Agyei alias Cobra (gang leader)
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Ibrahim Alhassan
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Samuel Appiah alias Akwesi Mugu
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Francis Acquah alias Preman
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David Obuobi alias Wasty
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Martin Akansina alias One Billion
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Nana Yaw Frimpong alias Mystical
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Kojo Atingawo alias Borga
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Samuel Akwasi Gyan
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Stephen Sey
Deceased: Kwaku Peprah alias X5; Boozin; and Natty Bongo.
At large: Kwabena Owusu Ansah alias Kobby and Albert.
Banks Targeted
The syndicate attacked several financial institutions between April and September 2025, including:
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Adansi Rural Bank, Fomena – April 10
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Lower Pra Rural Bank, Takoradi Inchaban – April 24
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Asokore Rural Bank, Kumasi – May 18
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Ahafo Kukom Rural Bank – May 30
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Nnwabiagya Rural Bank, Offinso – July 10
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Bosomtwi Rural Bank, Kumasi – July 18
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Kakum Rural Bank, Elmina – August 4
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MRB Bank, Winneba – August 15
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South Birim Rural Bank, Akim Asene – August 16
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NIB Bank, Wenchi – August 25
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Ecobank, Kenyasi – September 8
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St. Martin De Porres Credit Union, Kumasi – September 14
In most cases, the robbers stormed the premises at dawn, overpowered security guards, seized weapons, and used industrial cutting machines to break into vaults.
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Weapons and Loot Recovered
The police retrieved a large cache of arms, ammunition, and stolen property, including:
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3 AK-47 assault rifles (all identified as stolen Police service weapons)
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7 pump-action guns with 96 rounds of ammunition
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3 Bruni pistols and an M&P pistol with live rounds
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A single-barrel gun and cartridges
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Cash amounting to GH¢18,845, plus foreign currencies (USD, Liberian dollars, Naira, CFA)
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Six vehicles and four motorbikes
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Assorted mobile phones and jewelry
Investigations revealed that one AK-47 rifle retrieved had been stolen from a police officer killed in November 2024 on the Bibiani-Goaso Highway, linking the gang to that murder. Two others were confirmed as service rifles stolen during the Ecobank Kenyasi robbery.
Police Operations
The syndicate’s operations followed a consistent pattern: attacking banks with pump-action guns, taking security officers hostage, seizing weapons, and cutting into vaults with industrial tools.
Intelligence gathering led police to ex-convict Kwabena Owusu Ansah alias Kobby, believed to be the mastermind who recruited others. Subsequent raids led to multiple arrests and gun battles.
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Among the high-profile arrests was Akwesi Agyei alias Cobra, the gang leader, who was captured at his hideout in Esereso Adagya. Two AK-47 rifles buried in water near his home were recovered. Other suspects were tracked to Ejisu, Atonsu-Kyirapatre, Ahwia-Zongo, and Buoho, where police seized more weapons and getaway vehicles.
Some suspects, including X5 and Natty Bongo, engaged police in gun battles and were fatally shot.
Ongoing Investigations
Police say several suspects have confessed to their roles in the robberies, while others were positively identified by victims during an identification parade. Recovered weapons and stolen items have also been linked to specific robberies.
All arrested suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned before court as efforts continue to capture the remaining fugitives.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem