The Ashanti Regional Police Command says it has dismantled a carjacking gang known as the 'Duku Syndicate' following a series of intelligence-led operations across Kumasi and its surrounding areas.

Briefing the press on Monday, February 23, on the arrest of suspects linked to the robbery and murder of the latest victim, Andrews Amankwa, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, said the breakthrough followed a directive from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to launch a coordinated operation.

“Following the incident, the Inspector General of Police 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,” he said.

According to DCOP Osei Akoto, through “sustained surveillance, technical intelligence and targeted operations”, the police were able to dismantle what he described as “a very dangerous carjacking syndicate known as the 'Duku Syndicate'”.

Between 18 and 22 February 2026, four key members of the group were arrested in separate intelligence-led operations across Kumasi and its environs. One suspect sustained gunshot wounds during an operation and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

He explained that the first breakthrough came on February 18 with the arrest of Akwasi Manu, a 47-year-old farmer, who was found in unlawful possession of a Samsung mobile phone belonging to the late Mr Andrews Amankwa.

On February 19, Bashiru Tanko, also known as TK, aged 33, was arrested at Atonsu, a suburb of Kumasi. Investigations revealed his prior involvement in car smuggling activities in Tarkwa and at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

However, intelligence suggests he was sidelined from the most recent fatal operation due to an internal financial dispute within the syndicate.

On February 21, Kwadwo Amponsah, alias Kamakazi, aged 35, was arrested at Hireso near Buankra. His interrogation, according to police, provided critical intelligence linking the syndicate to multiple violent robberies involving Toyota Hilux vehicles in Kumasi.

Later, on February 22, at about 11:00 p.m., the alleged leader of the syndicate, Eric Antwi Duku, aged 42, sustained gunshot wounds during a police operation and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. His body has been deposited at the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

Items recovered from him included a Bruning Mod 84 pistol, eight rounds of live ammunition, a tracking detection device, forged vehicle documents, and a Toyota Corolla S believed to belong to him.

At about 11:30 p.m. the same night, Emmanuel Kwame Appiah, alias Taller, aged 38, was also arrested at Danyame in Kumasi. Investigations indicate that he acted as the syndicate’s driver during the fatal robbery at Ohim Amanfrom.

DCOP Osei Akoto said investigations have established that the group specialised in targeting Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser vehicles. The syndicate conducted surveillance on their victims and, in recent operations, escalated to the use of lethal force to facilitate the theft of vehicles.

Preliminary findings linked the group to the robbery at Ohim Amanfrom on 10 February 2026, during which Mr Amankwa was shot and killed, and his Toyota Hilux, with registration number GN 6647-25, was stolen.

Police have also linked the suspects to a separate robbery at Kronum, where a victim was fatally shot and a Toyota Hilux belonging to the Ghana National Association of Teachers was stolen.

According to the Regional Commander, the suspects have admitted to multiple robbery operations across Tarkwa and Kumasi and have provided intelligence regarding the movement of stolen vehicles through the Northern Border Corridor.

They have confessed to stealing several vehicles, including a Toyota Hilux with registration number VD 8080-25 at AngloGold in Tarkwa on 25 January 2026, an unregistered Toyota Hilux at Borborbor in Tarkwa on 9 February 2026, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number AD 102-25 at Achempim on 7 November 2025, and a Toyota vehicle with registration number GT 2036-25 at New Atuabo on 8 November 2025.

Other incidents include the theft of a Land Cruiser Trooper with registration number Maji 4447-25 at Tamso in Tarkwa on 12 October 2025, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GE 373-25 at Achempim on 5 October 2025, a Toyota Land Cruiser with registration number GV 66-24 at Samahu on 7 September 2025, a Toyota Land Cruiser PC with registration number GS 1845-23 at Tarkwa on 15 April 2025, and a Toyota Land Cruiser pick-up with registration number GT 4688-24 at Achempim on 10 April 2025.

The recovered firearm is currently undergoing forensic and ballistic examination to determine whether it is linked to other crime scenes.

DCOP Osei Akoto noted that the suspects had previously been on the wanted list of the Central Regional Police Command but had managed to evade arrest whenever attempts were made to apprehend them.

Investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest additional accomplices, including individuals involved in the disposal of stolen vehicles and the preparation of forged documents.

The suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be arraigned before court soon.

“The Ghana Police Service remains resolute in dismantling violent criminal networks operating within the Ashanti Region and beyond,” the Regional Commander said.

“Criminal elements who threaten public safety will be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice. We encourage members of the public to continue volunteering credible information to support our crime-fighting efforts.”