Bono Police Break Major Robbery Ring, Arrest Eight Suspects in Intelligence-Led Crackdown
Eight suspected armed robbers arrested as Bono Police step up intelligence-led operations against criminal gangs
- Bono Police arrest eight suspects in a major intelligence-led operation
- Five suspects arraigned in court on robbery, firearm, and trafficking charges.
- Authorities recover firearms, motorcycles, military gear, and other criminal tools
The Bono Regional Police Command has dealt a major blow to armed robbery syndicates, arresting eight suspected criminals and arraigning five in court following weeks of targeted, intelligence-driven operations across Bono and parts of the Ahafo Region.
In a statement on Monday, December 8, the police confirmed that the arrests are part of a crackdown on gangs linked to a series of robberies and organised crime in the region.
The suspects—Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo (47), Shadrach Owusu (25), Kwafo Samuel (30), Latif Mustapha (28), Mosby Owusu (20), Kofi Iddrisa (45), Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey (18), and Baba Kumi Foster (35)—were apprehended at various locations during the operations.
One major breakthrough followed a foiled robbery on the Berekum–Drobo Road on November 18. Investigations revealed that the attack was masterminded by ex-convict Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo. Two gang members, Kwafo Samuel and Shadrach Owusu, confessed and identified Amponsah as the ringleader of multiple robberies in the Nkaseim area. Amponsah was later arrested in Nyamennae, where police recovered Indian hemp, helmets, and machetes as evidence.
In a separate operation in Berekum, Latif Mustapha, alias Star Boy, and Mosby Owusu were arrested. Mustapha initially attempted to hide in a ceiling to evade capture. Police found military camouflage uniforms, a toy Glock pistol, live ammunition, knives, laptops, talismans, and other tools used for criminal activities in his room. Mosby Owusu was found with a Parabellum Model R-9 pistol and ammunition allegedly purchased from Mustapha for GH¢9,000.
Additionally, Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster were arrested at Ewiakrom for allegedly receiving stolen motorcycles and a tricycle smuggled from Côte d’Ivoire. Three motorcycles and a tricycle were recovered.
On December 2, Amponsah, Owusu, and Samuel were arraigned at the Fiapre Circuit Court for conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery and remanded to appear on December 22. Mustapha and Mosby were charged at Sunyani District Court B for illicit trafficking and possession of firearms and military uniforms and remanded to reappear on December 15. Iddrisa and Foster were granted police enquiry bail pending further investigations.
The Bono Regional Police Command assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend remaining gang members and recover all illegal weapons, appealing for credible information from citizens to aid in dismantling criminal networks across the region.
