The Ashanti Regional Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in combating violent crime, confirming the arrest of five suspected criminals in two separate, intelligence-led operations.
The suspects, arrested in the Aboabo area of Kumasi, include the two individuals allegedly responsible for the recent robbery and fatal stabbing of Silver Ngozi, a 28-year-old female victim at Asokore Mampong.
Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, briefed the media on the success of the operations, which have significantly dented the activities of robbery syndicates operating across key areas of the region.
The operations targeted notorious crime hotspots following intensive surveillance and information gathering. The Command emphasized that the swift arrests underscore the Ghana Police Service’s renewed commitment to maintaining peace and order in the region ahead of the holiday season.
“The first successful operation focused on tracking the perpetrators of the robbery and murder of Silver Ngozi, which tragically occurred on December 6, 2025, at about 5:00 pm in Asokore Mampong.
“Following a week of dedicated intelligence work, a joint team from the Regional Police Headquarters and the Anti-Robbery Unit successfully apprehended the two main suspects at their hideout in Aboabo on December 12”
DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, Ashanti Regional Police Commander
The suspects were identified as Farouk Iddris, aged 20, a motorbike mechanic and rider, and Salim Mohammed, aged 19, a motorbike mechanic and rickshaw rider.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Police confirmed that the suspects robbed the deceased, an act that escalated into violence when one of them allegedly stabbed her with a knife, leading directly to her death.
“During interrogation, both suspects admitted to committing the robbery. Salim Mohammed, who was the pillion rider on the day of the incident, identified a zigzag-edged knife as the weapon he used to stab the deceased”
DCOP Arthur Osei Akoto, Ashanti Regional Police Commander
The seriousness of the operation was underscored by the evidence retrieved during a search of Farouk Iddris’s room, which yielded a cache of offensive weapons, including a machete and various knives.
Crucially, an iPhone 11 Pro, belonging to the deceased and stolen during the fatal robbery, was recovered and has been retained for evidential purposes alongside the murder weapon.
Dismantling Robbery Syndicate
In a related and equally significant development, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, further intelligence-led operations led to the apprehension of three other suspects involved in a widespread series of street robberies across major municipal and academic areas.
These areas of operation included Asokore Mampong, KNUST, Kanyase, Bosore, Duase, Antoa, Mayanka, and Ayeduase. The three arrested suspects were named as Abdul Fatawu (alias “UN,” 22), Philip Nyarko (alias “Kawawa,” 24), and Samed Hardi (alias “Toronto,” 21).
The haul retrieved from their hideouts at Aboabo confirmed the extensive scope of their activities, revealing an astonishing collection of stolen electronics. The inventory of recovered items included fifty-nine iPhones, six Android phones, four tablets, and five laptops.
“All three suspects have confessed to the offences in their caution statements and are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations,” the DCOP Akoto confirmed. He concluded the briefing by emphasizing that all five suspects will be arraigned before the court in due course to face the full rigours of the law.
DCOP Akoto utilized the public platform to issue a crucial appeal to the general public, particularly victims of criminal activities in the affected areas of Asokore Mampong, KNUST, and the surrounding towns. The Police urged victims to “report to the Command to assist with ongoing investigations,” and to potentially retrieve their stolen items.
The commitment of the Ghana Police Service to maintaining security remains paramount, and the Command reiterated the vital role of the public in supporting law enforcement with timely and credible information to effectively combat crime.
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