The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has foiled a planned robbery operation along the Antoakrom–Manso Nkwanta stretch, following intelligence that a gang of armed robbers had positioned themselves in a bush to attack unsuspecting commuters.
In a police statement, a team was dispatched to the area on December 31, 2025, after receiving intelligence.
Upon arrival, officers encountered four armed suspects who opened fire at the police and attempted to flee into the bush.
The police returned fire, during which two of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries. They were later identified as Usmaro Mohammed and Yaw Frimpong, also known as Nana Yaw.
The two other suspects managed to escape and are currently on the run.
A search conducted at the scene led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, one pump-action gun loaded with four BB cartridges, four spent cartridges, and a black bag containing 16 additional live cartridges. Police also impounded a Toyota VOXY vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects in their criminal activities.
The police indicated that the suspects are believed to be behind a series of robberies in Manso and Obuasi, including the Mpohor gold robbery, the Nyinahini highway robbery, and a cocoa shed robbery at Sefwi.
Preliminary investigations further revealed that the suspects operated with accomplices based in Mankranso, Tamale, and Brekum. These accomplices are currently at large, and efforts are underway to track them down.
The injured suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, the police say investigations are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and to establish the ownership of the impounded vehicle, while assuring the public of their commitment to ensuring safety along major roads in the region.
