Police Kill 2 Suspected Highway Robbers, Retrieve Assault Rifles

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has shot and killed two suspected members of a highway robbery gang during an intelligence-led operation, while retrieving a cache of weapons buried in a bush.

The operation, conducted on April 25 and 26, 2026, targeted a criminal network linked to a series of roadblock robberies along the Obuasi–Manso Nyinahin stretch and other parts of the country.

Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Hammond Nyaaba, disclosed this at a press briefing on Tuesday, April 28.

According to him, the breakthrough followed intelligence that one of the key suspects, Sumaila Munkaila, also known as “Guda,” was hiding at Vitin in Tamale in the Northern Region.

Police moved in swiftly and arrested the 37-year-old suspect at about 20:55 hours on April 25. During interrogation, he admitted involvement in several robberies, including an attack on the convoy of the Chiana-Pio, His Excellency Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam, in July 2025, as well as recent roadblock robberies on the Buipe–Tamale and Vizesi–Fumbisi highways.

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

Both suspects subsequently directed police to a bush at Yizesi near Fumbisi in the Upper East Region, where the gang had buried their weapons after their last operation.

However, during a search on April 26, unknown persons opened fire from within the bush. The suspects attempted to escape in the process, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

The two suspects sustained gunshot wounds, while a police officer was also injured.

They were rushed to the Tamale Government Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have been deposited at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Police retrieved one CZ 805 assault rifle loaded with 14 rounds of 5.56x39mm ammunition, an AK-47 rifle with a total of 56 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, a pump-action gun with six BB cartridges, and a single-barrel gun. Four jackets were also recovered.

DCOP Nyaaba said investigations are ongoing, with efforts underway to arrest three other suspects identified as Tongude, Sumaila, and Berra.

He commended the officers involved for their professionalism and reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling violent crime and ensuring safety on the country’s highways.