Notorious Atebubu Armed Robber Shot Dead by Police During Manhunt
Police shot dead the suspected gang leader while he attempted to flee during an operation to arrest his accomplices in Atebubu
- Mahamadu Gariba Kirror, leader of a six-member armed robbery gang, was shot dead by police while attempting to flee during a manhunt
- He was linked to a January 2025 highway robbery that left a mini-bus driver and a passenger dead
- Police recovered a pistol, ammunition, mobile phones, and a talisman from Kirror, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend his remaining accomplices
A suspected notorious armed robber, Mahamadu Gariba Kirror, has been shot dead by police in Atebubu, Bono East Region, during an operation to apprehend his accomplices.
Gariba, identified as the leader of a six-member robbery gang, was linked to a deadly January 2025 attack on a mini-bus along the Atebubu-Yeji highway, during which the driver and a passenger, Nafisa Owusu Haruna, were killed, and other passengers were robbed.
According to a police situational report, Kirror was arrested on Saturday, January 31, 2026, around 10:30 a.m. based on intelligence. During initial questioning, he agreed to lead police to the hideouts of his remaining gang members.
However, while guiding the police on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 7:45 p.m., Kirror attempted to flee into a nearby forest. Officers fired at him, and although he was rushed to Atebubu Government Hospital, he was pronounced dead by the attending medical officer.
A search of the suspect revealed a locally manufactured pistol, two live BB cartridges, a Samsung Galaxy AO7 mobile phone, two keypad phones, and a talisman. Investigations confirmed that the Samsung phone belonged to Nafisa Owusu Haruna, a victim of Kirror’s December 2025 highway robbery.
During interrogation, Kirror admitted to shooting and killing the mini-bus driver and participating in the robbery, naming Umaru, Issifu, Furgur, Ibrahim, Shaibu, and Yelow as his accomplices. Police continue to search for the remaining members of the gang.
