The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has shot and killed three suspected armed robbers in an operation to prevent a planned highway robbery along the Anwiankwanta–Obuasi Highway in the Ashanti Region.

‎The suspects —Seidu Issah, Musah Yakubu, and Yahaya Munkaila, also known as Tijani—were gunned down on December 24, 2025, after police intercepted them in a bush between Anwiankwanta and the Jacobu junction. 

‎Police said the suspects had converged at the location to carry out a robbery when officers on patrol encountered them.

‎According to the Command, the suspects opened fire on the police, forcing officers to respond.

‎“Our men came under gunfire during the encounter and returned fire in self-defence, which led to the death of the three suspects, while two others managed to escape,” a police source said.

‎Items retrieved from the scene included two pump-action guns loaded with ammunition, one unbranded pistol, 25 live cartridges, and six spent cartridges. 

‎The suspects were rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. Their bodies have been deposited at the hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.

‎Police believe the suspects were behind a series of violent robberies in the region, including the Jacobu airport robbery on November 3, 2025, which resulted in the death of a security guard. 

‎They are also linked to multiple highway robberies along the Manso stretch, the Antoakrom robbery, the Abofour forest robbery near Offinso, and an attack on a gold buyer at Anwiankwanta on December 8, 2025.

‎In a follow-up operation on December 26, 2025, police raided a palm plantation near Manso Nkwanta, believed to be a hideout for the gang. 

‎The operation led to the recovery of one AK-47 assault rifle, one MG3 rifle, one pump-action gun, and one single-barrel gun, along with ammunition and personal effects.

‎“The Police Command is intensifying efforts to trace the sources of these weapons and to arrest all accomplices who are currently on the run,” the source added, assuring residents of continued security operations along major highways in the region.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan