The Koforidua Municipal Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar who allegedly broke into several shops by entering through their ceilings during the festive season.

The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Mutawakilu, was arrested while hiding in the ceiling of a rural bank located on Legend Street at the Ogua Electoral Area in Koforidua.

According to the Koforidua Central Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, the suspect arrived in Koforidua on December 17 and spent several days studying the area before carrying out the burglaries.

“According to him, he entered there on Saturday, 27th of December, 2025, and he stayed on top of the ceiling from that Saturday up to yesterday in the morning,” Supt Nsiah said.

Police investigations revealed that Mutawakilu specialised in breaking roofing sheets and accessing shops through the ceiling.

He reportedly planned his operations carefully, entering buildings on Saturday nights, looting on Sundays, and attempting to leave early Monday mornings.

Supt Nsiah explained that shop owners became suspicious when they reported for work and noticed damage to their ceilings.

“The owners of the stores went to the shop and found that their ceilings had been broken into and monies and other things stolen,” he said.

He cited one particular case involving a forex bureau. “A typical one is a forex bureau operator who has a burglar-proof on top of the ceiling. But this man managed to cut and penetrate through the store and take some money away,” he noted.

The suspect was discovered after the shop owners conducted a search. “When they came yesterday in the morning, they found that their ceiling was broken, and upon a search, they found the suspect named Ibrahim Mutawakilu on top of their ceiling. Police were called, and he was arrested from the ceiling,” Supt Nsiah said.

Upon his arrest, police retrieved a sack containing specialised burglary tools and an amount of GH₵9,133.00 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the alleged crimes.

Supt Nsiah said the arrest forms part of a wider security operation by the Koforidua Municipal Police Command following the festive season.

He disclosed that 28 other suspects have been arrested from various ghettos within the municipality.

“These suspects were picked up for offences ranging from gambling to narcotic trafficking,” he said, adding that police patrols and intelligence-led operations will continue to ensure safety and security in the area.

The suspect is currently in police custody and is assisting with investigations. Police say he will be put before the court to face prosecution.