The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced the successful dismantling of a criminal syndicate responsible for a series of targeted vehicle break-ins and thefts across the Kumasi Metropolis. The syndicate, largely composed of Nigerian nationals with one Ghanaian suspect, has been identified and apprehended.
According to the police, the syndicate’s modus operandi involved trailing victims from financial institutions and stealing large sums of money from their vehicles while parked. The suspects often used Toyota Hilander vehicles with fake registration plates to identify and follow targets before striking.
Through coordinated intelligence and surveillance by the Police Intelligence Directorate and the intelligence video surveillance (IVS) system, two vehicles used in the crimes were traced. On June 20, 2025, three suspects – Russell Ekenze, Francis Friday, and Linus Agwazie – were arrested. Tools used in the thefts were retrieved from their vehicles, and the suspects confessed to multiple incidents and named other accomplices.
In total, five suspects are in custody and being arraigned before court. Two women, Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim, were also arrested for obstructing investigations. One suspect, Cosmos Madiabuchukwu, remains at large.
In a separate development, the Nkawie Divisional Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with a recent case of robbery and murder. William Ofori Atta, aged 29, was apprehended at Kukuom in the Ahafo Region for his involvement in the robbery and killing of Emmanuel Kwabena Boakye, aged 28. The incident occurred on May 26, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., at the Radiance Filling Station in Mpasatia, Ashanti Region.
The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.