The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has arrested nine persons in connection with a violent attack on public officers at Tweapease in the Ashanti Region on January 3, 2026.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Cephas Arthur, Deputy Regional Police Commander, told a press conference in Bekwai that the suspects were arrested following intensive investigations into the incident.

The suspects, aged between 17 and 40, have been identified as Alex Sarfo, Roland Asiedu, Desmond Obideaba, Emmanuel Agveman, Isaac Dwumfour, Evans Bannor, Joshua Frimpong, Yaw Alex, and William Bannor.

According to the police, the victims were Lance Corporal Michael Quarshie of the Regional Formed Police Unit in Kumasi and Mr Emmanuel Kusi, a private security officer with TW Mines.

The two officers were providing security for a football match organised by the company when they were allegedly ambushed by a mob.

“The suspects subjected the officers to severe beatings, inflicted injuries on them, and made attempts to snatch the police officer’s firearm,” ACP Arthur said.

The nine suspects were arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit Court on January 8, 2026, and remanded into custody to reappear on January 21, 2026.

ACP Arthur disclosed that the police were still searching for one Rabbi Buabeng, identified as the alleged ringleader of the mob.

“We are pursuing all leads to ensure that every person involved in this attack is brought to justice,” he added.

In a related development, ACP Arthur revealed that the Juaso Police had arrested a five-member gang suspected of robbing and sexually assaulting young women, mostly students, within the region.

The suspects – David Adusah alias Viber, Samuel Amantor alias Road, Andrew Odei alias Salinco, Sharif Mohammed alias Isco, and Joseph Addo Ofori alias Moves – appeared before the Konongo District Court on January 8, 2026, and were remanded to reappear on January 28, 2026.

Police investigations indicate that the gang lured victims into private vehicles under false pretences, drove them to isolated areas along the Morso Road, robbed them, and in some cases sexually assaulted them.

The reported attacks occurred in August, October, and November 2025.

ACP Arthur noted that on January 2, 2026, one victim escaped sexual assault because she was menstruating.

Following intelligence-led operations, police raided the gang’s hideout at New Abirem in the Eastern Region, recovering a Toyota RAV4 believed to have been used in the crimes, military camouflage uniforms, a bayonet case, mobile phone covers, and a photograph of the alleged gang leader in uniform.

Seven other suspects arrested during the operation were granted bail, while the five were charged and remanded.

In another update, ACP Arthur announced that on January 12, 2026, the Bekwai Police secured a 20-year prison sentence against one Michael Antwi Boasiako for his role in a robbery case near Wawase on August 14, 2025.

Boasiako and an accomplice attacked a tricycle operator, Godfred Tabi, tied him up, and escaped with his vehicle.

ACP Arthur reaffirmed the command’s resolve to maintain law and order across the region.

“The Ashanti South Regional Police Command remains committed to ensuring public safety, apprehending criminals, and protecting lives and property,” he said.