Agona Nkwanta gold shop attack leaves buyer dead, five arrested
A 40-year-old gold buyer was shot dead during a robbery at his shop near Agona Nkwanta, with police arresting five suspects and recovering two locally manufactured pistols.
Police in the Western Region have arrested five suspects in connection with the robbery and killing of a 40-year-old gold buyer at Agona Fie near Agona Nkwanta.
The victim, identified as Seth Kobina, was shot in the chest when armed men attacked his gold-buying shop at about 8 pm on August 20.
He was taken to Agona Nkwanta Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, police said.
A statement issued on Monday August 24 by the police said preliminary investigations and CCTV footage led police to identify Emmanuel Amponsah, alias “Vandam”, 29, as an alleged leader of the group.
Police arrested Mr Amponsah at a guest house in Agona Nkwanta on 21 August. A search reportedly resulted in the recovery of a locally manufactured pistol and two live BB cartridges.
Police said Mr Amponsah subsequently became ill and was taken to Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police statement does not give the cause of his death.
Four other suspects arrested
Further investigations led to the arrest of Christopher Seyiri, alias “Cross and Die”, 47; Bashiru Ibrahim, 20; and Thomas Odoom, alias “Wale”, 30, in the Agona Nkwanta area.
A fifth suspect, Isaac Quayeson, alias “Last Burial”, was arrested at Denkyira Kwaboso in the Western North Region.
Police said a search of Mr Quayeson’s residence led to the recovery of another locally manufactured pistol, three live BB cartridges, a metal bar and two cutlasses.
During questioning, police said Mr Quayeson identified Mr Amponsah as the person who shot and killed the gold buyer.
He also allegedly identified Mr Odoom as one of the people captured in the CCTV footage.
These are allegations contained in the police account and have not been tested in court.
Police search for more suspects
Police said the four surviving suspects are assisting with investigations as officers work to identify and arrest other people allegedly connected to the robbery and killing.
The arrests come after an armed attack on a gold-buying business in an area where gold trading is an important part of the local economy.
The investigation is expected to focus on establishing the full circumstances surrounding the robbery, the identities and roles of the alleged accomplices, and what happened during the attack.
The death of Mr Amponsah also means that any allegations concerning his involvement will not proceed in the same way as those against the surviving suspects.
Police have not disclosed whether any gold or money allegedly taken during the robbery has been recovered.
Further developments are expected as investigations continue.