Two suspected highway robbers killed in gun battle with police

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has confirmed the killing of two suspected highway robbers during a gun battle in an intelligence-led operation aimed at retrieving buried weapons linked to a violent robbery syndicate operating across multiple regions.

The operation, conducted between April 25 and 26, 2026, targeted a criminal network believed to be responsible for a series of roadblock robberies along the Obuasi–Manso Nyinahin stretch and other major highways across the country.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Hammond Nyaaba, made this known during a press conference on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

“The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has dismantled a robbery gang responsible for a series of roadblocks along the Obuasi–Manso Nyinahin stretch in the Ashanti Region, following a multi-regional intelligence-led operation conducted on April 25 and 26, 2026.

“The operation, which spanned the Ashanti, Northern and Upper East regions, led to the arrest of two suspects, the recovery of weapons and ammunition which had been buried in the bushes by the robbers, and the unravelling of a broader robbery network responsible for several attacks,” he remarked.

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According to the police, the operation was triggered by intelligence that a key suspect, Sumaila Munkaila, also known as ‘Guda,’ was hiding at Vitin in Tamale in the Northern Region.

The suspect later named four accomplices and led police to Savelugu, where another suspect, Umaro Musah, was arrested the same night.

DCOP Nyaaba explained that the suspects subsequently directed police to a bush near Fumbisi in the Upper East Region, where the gang had buried weapons used in their operations.

“The two suspects subsequently guided police to a bush at Yizesi, near Fumbisi in the Upper East Region, where the gang had buried its weapons after their last operation,” he stated.

However, during a search of the area on April 26, 2026, unidentified armed men opened fire from within the bush, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire between the police and the attackers.

In the process, the suspects attempted to flee but sustained gunshot wounds, while a police officer also suffered injuries during the exchange.

“During a search of the area on April 26, 2026, unidentified gunmen opened fire from within the bush, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire,” DCOP Nyaaba noted.

He stated that “the suspects attempted to flee but sustained gunshot wounds, while a police officer was also injured.”

The injured officer and the suspects were rushed to the Tamale Government Hospital, where the two suspects were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have since been deposited at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Police recovered a cache of weapons from the scene, including a CZ 805 assault rifle loaded with 14 rounds of 5.56×39mm ammunition, an AK-47 rifle with 56 rounds of 7.62×39mm ammunition, a pump-action gun loaded with six BB cartridges, and a single-barreled gun. Four jackets believed to have been used in operations were also retrieved.

DCOP Nyaaba confirmed that investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to arrest three additional suspects.

“Investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to arrest three other suspects,” he said.

He commended officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and bravery, reiterating the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crime.

“We remain committed to ensuring safety on the country’s highways and dismantling all violent criminal networks,” DCOP Nyaaba assured.

JKB/BAI

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