Six suspected armed robbers arrested in Ashanti Region
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects believed to be members or associates of an organised armed robbery syndicate operating across the region.
The arrests were made in August 2026 by the Ashanti Regional Police Anti-Armed Robbery Unit as part of efforts to curb robbery incidents and dismantle criminal networks.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, August 31, 2026, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, said preliminary investigations had connected the suspects to a number of street robbery cases reported in areas including Kaase, Ahinsah Estates, Santasi New Sites, Broni Krom and Kwadaso Estates.
The suspects have been identified as Philip Nyarko, alias Kawawa, 23; Hadi Samed, alias Toronto, 20; Issahaku Musah, alias Isak, 23; Suraj Mohamed, alias Baba Nde, also known as Trouble, 27; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias Panie, 23; and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias Joe Fraizer, 45.
According to DCOP Akoto, the arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted by the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit in Kumasi.
A search of Philip Nyarko’s residence led to the seizure of a Kawasaki motorcycle with an alleged 600cc engine, which investigators suspect may have been used in some of the robberies.
Police also recovered two machetes, an iPhone 13 and five keypad mobile phones believed to have been stolen from robbery victims.
Further investigations resulted in the arrest of Augustin Agyemang Duah, a resident of Adum PZ, who is suspected of assisting syndicate members to unlock mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
A laptop allegedly used to unlock the phones was found at his residence and taken into police custody as an exhibit.
DCOP Akoto said Issahaku Musah, Hadi Abdul Majeed and Hadi Samed were arrested on August 24 at Atonsu, Aboabo and Asawase respectively.
Police searches at their homes led to the recovery of knives and machetes suspected to be linked to the robbery cases under investigation.
Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias Joe Fraizer, was also arrested at the Airport Roundabout in Kumasi. Police suspect that he and another individual were involved in purchasing stolen mobile phones from members of the syndicate.
A search of Foster’s residence resulted in the recovery of 33 mobile phones believed to have been taken from robbery victims.
Police said efforts are underway to trace the rightful owners of the devices and determine how they came into Foster’s possession.
The Regional Police Commander further revealed that two of the suspects, along with another individual who remains at large, had previously been arrested, detained and granted bail in December 2025 over robbery and attempted robbery cases.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command said investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and identify other individuals who may be linked to the alleged syndicate.
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