The Ghana Police Service has dismantled a suspected carjacking network believed to be behind a string of armed robberies and fatal shootings in the Ashanti and Western Regions.
At a press briefing in Kumasi, Inspector-General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno announced that the operation followed the February 10 robbery at Ohwim-Amanfrom, during which Andrews Amankwah was shot and killed and his Toyota Hilux vehicle taken.
According to the IGP, the incident triggered a coordinated, intelligence-led security response.
“Following the incident, I activated a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate, the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team, and the CID Anti-Armed Robbery Unit under my strategic leadership and guidance,” he stated.
Police say sustained surveillance, technical intelligence gathering and targeted operations conducted between February 18 and 22 led to the arrest of four suspected members of the group in Kumasi and surrounding communities.
“We have successfully dismantled a dangerous carjacking syndicate known as the ‘Duku Syndicate’,” the IGP declared.
Authorities identified the alleged ringleader as 42-year-old Eric Antwi Duku. He sustained gunshot wounds during a late-night police operation on February 22 and was later pronounced dead at a medical facility. His body has been deposited at the morgue pending preservation and autopsy.
Investigators say the syndicate specialised in stealing Toyota Hilux vehicles, often conducting prior surveillance on targeted victims. In recent operations, the group allegedly escalated its methods, resorting to lethal force to execute the thefts.
Preliminary findings link the suspects to the Ohwim-Amanfrom killing and to another fatal robbery at Kronum involving a Toyota Hilux belonging to the Ghana National Association of Teachers.
Police disclosed that a significant breakthrough occurred on February 18 when a 47-year-old farmer was arrested in possession of a Samsung mobile phone belonging to the deceased victim.
According to the IGP, suspects in custody have admitted to multiple robbery operations in Kumasi and Tarkwa. They have also provided intelligence suggesting that stolen vehicles were transported through northern border corridors for disposal.
Items retrieved during the operations include a Bruni Mod 84 pistol, eight rounds of live ammunition, a tracking detection device, suspected forged vehicle documents and a Toyota Corolla believed to belong to the deceased suspect. The recovered firearm is undergoing forensic and ballistic analysis to determine its possible connection to previous crime scenes.
The arrested suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before court, while investigations continue to identify additional accomplices linked to vehicle trafficking and document forgery.
“The Ghana Police Service remains resolute in dismantling violent criminal networks operating within the Ashanti Region and beyond. Criminal elements who threaten public safety will be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice,” the IGP assured.
He further appealed to the public to assist law enforcement by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
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