Upper East Police arrest seven suspected armed robbers over Zebilla, Garu attacks

The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested seven people suspected of being involved in a series of armed robbery incidents in Zebilla, Garu and Binduri.

The suspects, whose ages range from 20 to 41, have been identified as Issaka Iddrisu, 20; Ali Tamimu, 21; Akugre Amobila, 26; Banabas Apiiga, 41; Abdul-Rashid Adamu, 38; Apiiga Alebena, 21; and Bilal Adabodee, 31.

Their arrests followed an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Police Intelligence Department (PID), the newly established Black Cobra Unit and the Zebilla Neighbourhood Watch Community.

According to a statement issued by the Upper East Regional Police Command’s Public Affairs Officer, Chief Inspector Abdul-Raman Sumaila, the suspects admitted to being part of a larger network of gangs allegedly engaged in armed robbery across the three areas.

The Police said two victims had reported separate robbery incidents and identified two of the suspects as members of a three-man gang that allegedly robbed them at gunpoint of two Yamaha scooter motorbikes worth GH¢30,000 and GH¢32,000 respectively.

The victims were reportedly threatened with death if they informed the Police about the attacks.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted to carrying out the robberies and told investigators that the firearms used were supplied by another suspect based in Bawku. The identity of the alleged arms supplier has not been disclosed.

Police believe the unnamed suspect may be a source of weapons for the robbery network.

Searches conducted at the residences of three of the suspects — Abdul-Rashid Adamu, Apiiga Alebena and Bilal Adabode — resulted in the recovery of two unregistered motorbikes, quantities of substances suspected to be illicit drugs and GH¢29,550 in cash.

The Police believe the cash may have been proceeds from the alleged criminal activities.

The seven suspects have since been remanded into Police custody by the Bolgatanga Circuit Court and are scheduled to reappear before the court on September 23, 2026.

Source: GNA