Police in Ghana’s Ashanti Region have foiled a planned highway robbery after gunning down three suspected armed robbers during an intelligence-led operation along the Anwiankwanta–Obuasi Highway, authorities said.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command said the incident occurred on 24 December 2025 when officers intercepted a gang that had converged in a bush between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu junction to carry out the planned attack. The suspects were identified as Seidu Issah, Musah Yakubu and Yahaya Munkaila, also known as Tijani.
Police said the suspects opened fire upon encountering officers, who returned fire, killing the three men. Two other suspected accomplices managed to escape during the exchange.
At the scene, police recovered two pump-action guns loaded with ammunition, one unbranded pistol, 25 live cartridges and six spent cartridges. The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have since been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
Authorities believe the suspects were linked to several violent robberies in the region, including the Jacobu airport robbery on 3 November 2025, which resulted in the death of a security guard. They are also suspected of multiple highway robberies along the Manso stretch, the Antoakrom robbery, an Abofour forest robbery near Offinso, and an attack on a gold buyer at Anwiankwanta on 8 December.
In a follow-up operation on 26 December, police recovered additional weapons, including an AK47 assault rifle and an MG3 rifle, from a hideout near Manso Nkwanta. Investigations are ongoing to arrest accomplices still at large.