Four suspected armed robbers are in police custody following an operation in Bolgatanga. One suspect, Amadu Rahman, died after collapsing during the process. Police seized an AK-47 rifle and 87 rounds of live ammunition.
The arrests stem from a police intelligence-led operation on May 5, 2026. Suspects Abdulai Ibrahim, Amadu Rahman, Amadu Sulemana, and Adu Yakubu are linked to multiple robbery incidents. These crimes affected the Talensi District and parts of the North East Region. The police gathered that the suspects met in Gbane on May 4. They travelled from Yagaba and Fumbisi to plan their operations. During one attack, they took four motorbikes and several mobile phones.
The suspects admitted to numerous robberies. These occurred along the Yagaba-Fumbisi and Yagaba-Nanguruma roads. They also confessed to robbing the Vikandi Phone Shop in Bolgatanga on March 22, 2025. This incident was captured on a viral video showing an AK-47. The group allegedly targeted mining sites in Gbane. They are accused of stealing gold and significant amounts of money from miners and residents. These activities highlight a persistent challenge of armed crime in mining areas of the Upper East Region.
Police investigators led the suspects to a farm near Biung. This is close to Gbane. Amadu Rahman, identified as the gang leader, allegedly hid an AK-47 rifle there. A search of the location yielded the rifle, bearing serial number 68100563. Eighty-seven rounds of live ammunition were found in a fertiliser sack. During this retrieval, Amadu Rahman reportedly collapsed. He was taken to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. Medical staff pronounced him dead on arrival. His remains are at the hospital morgue for an autopsy.
The remaining three suspects are in police custody. They will face prosecution in court soon. This successful operation is a step in addressing the security concerns in the region. It also shows the challenges in tackling organised criminal groups involved in armed robbery and illegal mining. The recovery of the AK-47 rifle suggests the sophistication of these criminal networks. Decisions on prosecution will be closely watched by local communities and businesses. The police will continue their investigations into other potential accomplices and past crimes.