The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested five suspected robbers in connection with a robbery and murder at Asokore Mampong, as well as a string of armed robberies across parts of the Kumasi Metropolis.
The arrests followed intelligence-led operations conducted by the police, according to a press briefing by the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, Arthur Osei Akoto.
Two of the suspects were arrested for their alleged involvement in the robbery and murder of a 28-year-old woman, Silver Ngozi, which occurred on December 6, 2025, at about 5:00 p.m. at Asokore Mampong.
Police said a joint team from the Regional Police Headquarters and the Anti-Robbery Unit arrested the two suspects on December 12, 2025, at about 9:00 p.m. at their hideout at Aboabo in Kumasi.
The suspects were identified as Farouk Iddris, 20, a motorbike mechanic and rider, and Salim Mohammed, 19, a motorbike mechanic and rickshaw rider. Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects robbed the deceased, during which one of them allegedly stabbed her with a knife, leading to her death.
A search conducted in the room of Farouk Iddris led to the retrieval of a machete, knives, and other offensive weapons. During interrogation, police said both suspects admitted to committing the robbery. Salim Mohammed, who was the pillion rider at the time of the incident, allegedly identified a zigzag-edged knife as the weapon used to stab the deceased.
An iPhone 11 Pro belonging to the deceased, which was stolen during the robbery, has also been retrieved and retained as evidence. The suspects are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court.
In a related development, further intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of three additional suspects allegedly involved in a series of street robberies within Asokore Mampong, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kanyase, Bosore, Duase, Antoa, Mayanka, Ayeduase, and surrounding areas.
The suspects were identified as Abdul Fatawu, alias “UN”, aged 22; Philip Nyarko, alias “Kawawa”, aged 24; and Samak Hadi, alias “Toronto”, aged 21.
Items retrieved from their hideouts at Aboabo included 59 iPhones, six Android phones, four tablets, and five laptops. Police said all three suspects have confessed to the offences in their caution statements and are currently assisting with investigations.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has appealed to members of the public who may have fallen victim to these criminal activities to report to the Command to support ongoing investigations.
