A joint police operation has led to the arrest of eight suspected highway robbers linked to an armed attack on a passenger minibus on the Mampong to Ejura road, the Ashanti North Regional Police Command has said.

According to a press release issued by the police dated March 31, 2026, the suspects were arrested on March 30, 2026, at Amakwa Dadey Hotel in Ejura, where police said they found them sharing GH¢15,717, believed to be proceeds from the robbery. 

One suspect died during the operation after he fled, attacked a police officer with a cutlass and attempted to seize the officer’s service weapon.

The robbery took place on March 26, 2026, at about 3:30 pm at Aframso Bridge on the Mampong to Ejura road. Six-armed men ambushed a Ssangyong minibus with registration number AS-1859-12.

The driver, Appiah Joseph, was conveying 14 passengers from Kumasi to Atebubu when the attack occurred. The victims were robbed of cash and mobile phones.

Following the attack, the Regional Police Command gathered intelligence and mounted surveillance on the suspects. Personnel from the National Operations Directorate Surveillance Unit headquarters in Accra were brought in to support the exercise.

Acting on the intelligence, the joint team moved to Amakwa Dadey Hotel in Ejura on March 30, 2026, at about 3:20 pm, where the suspects were found sharing money believed to be from the robbery.

Seven suspects were arrested at the scene. They are Amidu Sajo, 42; Ibrahim Sule, 36; Karim Hadu, 40; Malik Jibrilla, 38; Yusifa Asakoko, 23; Umaru Issifu, 20; and Damani Yamba, 36.

The eighth suspect, Ibrahim Iddrisu, also known as Bule, 43, fled on seeing the police. During the chase, he attacked an officer with a cutlass and attempted to seize the officer’s weapon. He was shot in the left leg and arm.

Iddrisu was taken to the Mampong Government Hospital and later referred to the Jamasi Pope John Paul Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a medical officer on duty.

Police said Iddrisu had been on their wanted list since 2023 in connection with a separate robbery on the same road. He was also wanted by the Atebubu Police Command for related offences.

Items retrieved during the operation included two live AK-47 rounds, three cutlasses, GH¢15,717 in cash, eight mobile phones, a talisman, an ID card and a side bag.

The seven suspects are in police custody and assisting with investigations. The body of Iddrisu has been deposited at the Mampong Government Hospital morgue for preservation and further action.

The Ashanti North Regional Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Felix Apedo, said the operation is ongoing and aimed at arresting other suspects and retrieving weapons in the area.

“Further developments will be communicated in due course,” ACP Apedo said.