The Ashanti Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) has achieved a significant breakthrough by dismantling a criminal syndicate implicated in a series of targeted vehicle thefts in the Kumasi Metropolis.  

In recent months, the Ashanti Regional Police Command has received a plethora of reports from individuals who, after withdrawing substantial sums of money from financial institutions, were subsequently followed and had their vehicles forcibly entered.   

These thefts predominantly happened when victims left their vehicles unattended, allowing the perpetrators, often utilising Toyota Highlander vehicles, to gain access through master keys or by breaking in.  

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe stated at a press briefing that investigations revealed the syndicate operated in a highly coordinated fashion.  

One suspect would loiter around banking halls and car parks to identify customers withdrawing considerable amounts of money.   

They would then alert their accomplices, who trailed the victim in their vehicles before executing the theft.   

The Regional Commander said on November 15, 2024, a victim driving a Toyota Camry withdrew Ghc107,000 from the Agricultural Development Bank at Ahodwo Roundabout.   

The syndicate, travelling in a Toyota Highlander, broke into his vehicle and absconded with the cash while parked at the bank’s parking lot.  

On March 18, 2025, another victim withdrew GH¢88,000 from a financial institution and parked his vehicle near Obaa Yaa chop bar, where the syndicate broke in and stole the cash.  

Yet another victim, on March 19, after withdrawing Gh¢22,000 from the Absa Bank – KNUST branch, kept the money in her Kia Sportage and parked at the KNUST Hospital Emergency Unit, where the syndicate pilfered the amount.  

These and many other thefts, according to DCOP Teye-Cudjoe, were recorded in the Metropolis, with the latest happening on June 11, this year through the same modus operandi.    

The police explained that through sustained intelligence-gathering and surveillance, bolstered by footage from the Intelligence Video Surveillance (IVS) system monitored at the Police Emergency Command Centre at the Regional headquarters, two suspected vehicles were identified.  

These included a gold-colored Toyota Highlander with registration number GT 2471-14 and a black Toyota Highlander with registration number GX 7124-12, both of which were later confirmed to possess counterfeit license plates.  

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 1000 hours, PID operatives successfully apprehended three suspects, namely, Russell Ekenze, 29, a taxi driver; Francis Friday, 49, a politician; and Linus Agwazie, 51, a trader.  

A 6-inch T-shaped metal tool, believed to serve as a master key in the thefts, was recovered from one of the vehicles during the arrest and during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in a larger criminal syndicate.   

They acknowledged executing similar thefts at various locations within Kumasi, including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mayanka, Asokwa, Kumasi Central Mosque, Shoprite, Kumasi, and the Georgia Hotel area.   

They identified additional members of the syndicate as Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, Ezuchukwu, C.J., D.D., and Lele.  

According to the police, one of the suspects, Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest and managed to evade arrest.  

Intelligence later indicated that he sought refuge at a drinking spot in Kenyase owned by Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim.  

These two individuals have since been apprehended for obstructing police investigations by failing to disclose Cosmas’ whereabouts.  

Five suspects currently remain in police custody, and two vehicles utilised by the syndicate have been impounded.   

A manhunt is underway to apprehend Cosmas Maduabuchukwu and other accomplices still at large.  

Preliminary findings suggest that all members of the syndicate are Nigerian nationals, except for one suspect, D.D., who is believed to be Ghanaian.  

Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, Russell Ekenze, Gifty Ozurumbam, and Gladys Ibrahim are being put before the court.   

Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire network and ensure that all perpetrators face justice.  

During questioning, the suspects also confessed to committing similar crimes in various parts of Accra.