The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate accused of terrorising residents in parts of the Wa West District and Wa Municipality.

The arrests followed months of intelligence-led operations by the Police aimed at dismantling the group, which investigators believe is linked to a series of robbery incidents involving attacks on victims and the forced disclosure of their Mobile Money (MoMo) Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

The Police said the suspects allegedly used the PINs to transfer money directly from victims’ MoMo accounts to accounts controlled by the robbers.

The development was contained in a press release issued by the Upper West Regional Police Command on Tuesday, August 11.

The Police identified six suspects linked to the syndicate, including a 52-year-old man who died during the operation.

They are Amadu Moro, 35; Adama Yussif, 40; Nasiru Abdul Rahman, 52; Idrissu Adama, 35; Korika Issaka, 20; and Zakaria Brigi, 21.

According to the Police, Nasiru Abdul Rahman died after sustaining injuries during the operation.

He was taken to the Upper West Regional Hospital but died upon arrival. His body has subsequently been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The Police have therefore indicated that the six suspects identified in connection with the syndicate include the deceased, while the other suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.

Preliminary investigations have established alleged links between three of the suspects and several robbery incidents recorded in the area.

The Police specifically named Adama Yussif, Amadu Moro and the deceased Nasiru Abdul Rahman as key members of the gang who have been linked to a number of incidents.

The reported incidents occurred at Kpenateng Junction on August 1, Kulkpara-Dapoha on June 19, Kpenateng Community on June 15, an incident recorded on May 23, and Piisi-Dapoha on March 27.

The arrests come against the backdrop of what the Police described as an emerging pattern in the robbery incidents, where victims were allegedly attacked and wounded with machetes before being forced to disclose their MoMo PINs.

The robbers would then allegedly use the information to transfer funds from the victims' accounts.

The investigation has so far established that the syndicate allegedly made away with approximately GH¢22,070 in cash from victims.

In addition, the Police said GH¢3,274 was allegedly siphoned from victims through their MoMo accounts.

The total amount identified in the investigation therefore stands at approximately GH¢25,344, combining the cash allegedly stolen with funds allegedly transferred through the victims' MoMo accounts.

The Police have also retrieved seven mobile phones from the suspects.

The devices are being subjected to further examination as investigators seek to establish their relevance to the alleged robbery operations and determine whether they contain information that could assist the investigation.

While the operation has resulted in the arrest of the suspects, the Police said two other individuals believed to be connected to the syndicate remain at large.

They have been identified as Haruna, 30, and Amadu Mahamudu, 24.

The Police said Haruna allegedly serves as the armourer of the gang, while Amadu Mahamudu is the son of the deceased suspect, Nasiru Abdul Rahman.

The Upper West Regional Police Command said efforts had been intensified to locate and arrest the two wanted suspects.

The Command has urged residents, particularly those in communities affected by the recent robbery incidents, to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the Police promptly.

It also appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist investigators in locating the two suspects still at large.

The Police said such cooperation would be crucial to the ongoing investigation and efforts to prevent further criminal activity in the affected communities.

"The Police further appeal to the public to cooperate with investigators by providing credible information that could assist in locating the two wanted suspects and preventing further criminal activities," the statement concluded.