Police in Ghana’s Ashanti South Region have foiled a planned armed robbery operation along the Antoakrom–Manso Nkwanta stretch, recovering high-powered firearms and a vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects.
According to the Ashanti South Regional Police Command, the operation followed intelligence indicating that a gang of armed robbers had converged in a bush near the busy road, preparing to attack unsuspecting commuters. Acting on the information on December 31, 2025, a police team moved swiftly to the location to intercept the suspects.
Upon arrival, officers encountered four armed men who allegedly opened fire on the police and attempted to flee into the surrounding bush. Police returned fire, leading to a brief exchange during which two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries. The remaining two suspects managed to escape and are currently on the run.
The injured suspects were later identified as Usmaro Mohammed and Yaw Frimpong, also known as Nana Yaw. They were transported to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
A search of the scene resulted in 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 and a black bag containing 16 additional live cartridges. Police also impounded a Toyota VOXY vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects in their criminal activities.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspects were linked to a series of robberies across parts of the Ashanti and Western regions, including the Mpohor gold robbery, the Nyinahini highway robbery and a cocoa shed robbery at Sefwi. Police say the group operated with accomplices based in Mankranso, Tamale and Brekum, who remain at large.
The Regional Police Command said investigations are continuing to track down the fleeing suspects and their accomplices, as well as to establish the ownership of the recovered vehicle. Police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of road users and urged the public to volunteer credible information to assist ongoing investigations.