The Bono Regional Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained fight against armed robbery and organised crime, following the arrest and prosecution of several suspects believed to be behind a string of violent attacks across the region.

Speaking to the media at the press conference in Sunyani at the police regional headquarters, the Bono Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joshua Coppson said the arrests were made through coordinated intelligence-led operations carried out in Berekum, Drobo, Nkaseim, Domfete, Ewiakrom, and surrounding communities.

The operations targeted criminal networks responsible for robbery attacks, firearm trafficking, and the movement of stolen motorcycles to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.

The suspects arrested include Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, 47; Shadrach Owusu (alias Shark), 25; Kwafo Samuel, 30; Latif Mustapha (alias Star Boy), 28; Mosby Owusu, 20; Kofi Iddrisa, 45; Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, 18; and Baba Kumi Foster, 35.

He highlighted that the Police investigations established that on 18th November 2025, a five-member gang led by Johnson Amponsah attempted to rob travellers on the Berekum–Drobo Road. The attack was thwarted after a timely intervention by a Police Patrol Team.

During interrogation, suspects Kwafo Samuel and Shadrach Owusu confessed their involvement and identified Johnson Amponsah as the mastermind. They also admitted participating in several other robberies, particularly around Nkaseim in the Ahafo Region.

A follow-up operation led to the arrest of Johnson Amponsah at his hideout at Nyamennae, a suburb of Berekum. A search of his room uncovered quantities of Indian hemp, two motorcycle helmets, and two machetes, which were retained as exhibits.

However, in a separate intelligence-led operation, officers from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate arrested Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu at Domfete near Berekum. Police say Latif attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling of his home but was arrested following a thorough search.

The regional commander further noted that checks linked Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, already on remand for a stealing case, as the original owner of a pistol recovered in earlier investigations.

A search of Latif Mustapha’s room yielded a significant cache, including: Full military camouflage uniform, Military jacket and boots, Toy Glock pistol, Taser, Live and spent foam bullets, Pepper spray, Multiple knives and scissors, Talismans and war regalia, Two laptops, Swimming goggles, and Toffees suspected to be laced with Indian hemp.

Further investigations uncovered a Parabellum Model R-9 Hungarian pistol, loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition, concealed in the room of Mosby Owusu. He told police he purchased the weapon from Latif Mustapha for GHS 9,000, though the latter periodically retrieved it from him.

As part of efforts to disrupt a separate criminal chain involved in receiving and transporting stolen motorcycles and tricycles to Côte d’Ivoire, police arrested Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster at Ewiakrom near Nkrankwanta. Three motorcycles and one tricycle were recovered as evidence.

Police noted that on 2nd December 2025, suspects Johnson Amponsah, Shadrach Owusu, and Kwafo Samuel were arraigned before the Fiapre Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery. They were remanded into police custody to reappear on 22nd December 2025.

On the same day, Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu were arraigned before the Sunyani District Court B on charges of illicit trafficking of firearms, unlawful possession of firearms, and possession of military uniforms without authority. They were remanded to reappear on 15th December 2025.

However, suspects Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster, being investigated for dishonestly receiving stolen items, were granted police enquiry bail pending further investigation.

The Bono Regional Police Command's call for Public Support says efforts are underway to apprehend additional accomplices still at large and to retrieve more illicit weapons linked to the criminal networks.

The Command is urging the public to provide credible information to aid ongoing security operations aimed at enhancing safety and stability across the region