Six arrested in Kumasi over suspected armed robbery syndicate as police recover 40 phones
Ashanti Regional Police say intelligence-led operations in Kumasi have led to the arrest of six suspected members or associates of an alleged armed robbery syndicate, with dozens of mobile phones, motorcycles and weapons recovered. Police say one suspect remains at large, while several others are being sought as investigations continue.
Six people have been arrested in Kumasi over their alleged involvement in an organised armed robbery syndicate, with police recovering 40 mobile phones, two motorcycles and weapons during an intelligence-led operation.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command says the suspects have been linked by preliminary investigations to a series of reported street robberies in parts of the region.
The arrests were made in August 2026 by the Police Anti-Armed Robbery Unit as part of operations targeting armed robbery and other violent crime in the Ashanti Region.
The suspects are Philip Nyarko, also known as “Kawawa”; Hadi Samed, known as “Toronto”; Issahaku Musah, alias “Isak”; Suraj Mohammed, also known as “Baba Nde” and “Trouble”; Hadi Abdul Majeed, alias “Panie”; and Foster Owusu Afriyie, alias “Joe Fraizer”.
Police say the suspects have been linked to reported robbery incidents at Kaase, Ahinsan Estate, Santasi New Site, Bronikrom and Kwadaso Estate, as well as other locations in the Ashanti Region.
The Command says investigations have led to the recovery of two motorcycles, two machetes, knives, an iPhone 13, five keypad mobile phones, a laptop and 33 other mobile phones.
Police say the recovered property is believed to be connected to the alleged criminal activities and will form part of the ongoing investigation.
The Command has appealed to people who lost mobile phones or other property during robbery incidents to contact the Police to help identify the recovered items.
Further investigations have also led to the arrest of Augustine Agyemang Duah, who police suspect of helping members of the alleged syndicate to unlock mobile phones believed to have been stolen.
Police have not provided further details about his alleged role, but say investigations are continuing to determine the extent of his involvement.
The Command says three people connected to the case had previously been arrested over alleged robbery-related offences.
According to Police, Philip Nyarko, Hadi Samed and another man, Abdul Shattar, were arrested on 6 December 2025 on allegations of conspiracy to commit crime, specifically robbery and attempted robbery.
They were subsequently granted bail by the Asokwa Circuit Court 1, where the case remains pending, according to the Police.
The Command says its investigations indicate that some of the suspects allegedly resumed criminal activities after their release.
Abdul Shattar is currently wanted and remains at large, Police say.
Several other people identified as Andy, Umaru, Dauda, Malik and Abdul Farouk are also being sought in connection with the investigation.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information about their whereabouts to contact the authorities, but warned people not to attempt to confront or apprehend the suspects themselves.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command says the six arrested suspects will be processed for arraignment as investigations continue.
Police say they are also seeking to identify other people allegedly connected to the suspected syndicate and recover more property believed to have been stolen.
The Police Command has assured residents, particularly within the Kumasi Metropolis, that it will continue intelligence-led and targeted operations against violent crime.