The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has busted Abubakar Sadick, an absentia convict, in a car robbery syndicate across Ghana.

Abubakar and his alleged accomplices are to pose as members of a Non-Governmental Organisation or a religious group, approach car rental companies under the guise of renting them for missions in parts of Northern Ghana, but rob them in secluded areas.

Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director General of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who made this known during a joint Police/Cyber Security Authority (CSA) press conference on Monday, said Abubakar rented a Toyota Land Cruiser for missions only to tie the driver to a tree and rob the car at Malzeri close to Yendi.

A similar incident occurred in January 2023, when another Land Cruiser was stolen under the same pretext.

Abubakar had been on the police wanted list since November 11, 2022, COP Donkor said.

She said in April 2023, a Toyota Vitz was also taken and later sold in Bolgatanga, adding that through investigations and sustained intelligence efforts, the police identified Abubakar, the key suspect, when a warrant was issued for his arrest.

He was then placed on the police wanted list, immigration stop list and an Interpol red notice, COP Donkor said.

In February 2023, the police were informed that Abubakar had been arrested by the Burkina Faso Police, but he escaped before his extradition.

“On July 28, 2025, Abubakar Sadick was finally arrested in Accra through a joint operation involving the CID’s Anti-Armed Robbery Unit and National Security,” COP Donkor said, adding that he was assisting the police in the investigation.

“It is of interest to note that the Cape Coast High Court had previously sentenced the suspect in absentia to 25 years imprisonment in hard labour for a 2021 robbery in Breman Asikuma,” she said.

COP Donkor noted that Abubakar was implicated in several other car thefts under investigation.

She advised the public, particularly car rental operators and victims of similar incidents, to report to the CID Headquarters to assist with investigations, whilst efforts were underway to apprehend the alleged accomplices.

Divine Selase Agbeti, Director General of the Cyber Security Authority, on his part, said the collaboration reflected the shared commitment to ensuring a safer and secure digital environment for all residents and businesses in Ghana.