Armed Robbery Crackdown in Upper West: Six Arrested, one Suspect Dies after Police Operation

The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with a series of armed robbery incidents recorded in parts of the Wa East District and Wa Municipality.

The police said the arrests followed months of intelligence-led and coordinated operations aimed at dismantling an alleged robbery syndicate operating in the region.

According to a press release issued by the Upper West Regional Police Command on August 11, 2026, the operation was launched following an emerging trend in armed robbery cases in which victims were allegedly attacked, wounded with machetes and forced to disclose their Mobile Money (MoMo) Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), which were subsequently used to transfer money from their accounts.

The six suspects identified by the police are Amadu Moro, 35; Adama Yussif, 40; Nasiru Abdul Rahman, 52; Iddrissu Adama, 35; Korika Issaka, 20; and Zakaria Brigi, 21.

The police noted that Nasiru Abdul Rahman died after sustaining injuries during the operation. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Upper West Regional Hospital, where his body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The police said preliminary investigations have established that Adama Yussif, Amadu Moro and the deceased, Nasiru Abdul Rahman, were key members of the alleged gang and have been linked to a number of robbery incidents.

The incidents include an alleged robbery at Kpenateng Junction on August 1, 2026, Kulkpara-Dapuoha on June 19, 2026, Kpenateng Community on June 15, 2026, and another incident on May 23, 2026, and a robbery at Piisi-Dapuoha on March 27, 2026.

The Command said investigations so far have established that approximately GH¢22,070 in cash was taken from victims, while an additional GH¢3,274 was siphoned from victims' MoMo accounts.

Police investigators have also retrieved seven mobile phones from some of the suspects. The devices are being subjected to further examination as investigations continue. Meanwhile, police say two other persons allegedly connected to the robbery syndicate are still at large.

They have been identified as Haruna, 30, said to be the alleged armourer of the gang, and Amadu Mahamudu, 24, who is identified as the son of the deceased suspect.

The Upper West Regional Police Command says efforts have been intensified to locate and arrest the two wanted suspects. The Command has appealed to residents, particularly those in communities affected by the recent robbery incidents, to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the police.

It is also urging the public to cooperate with investigators by providing credible information that could assist in locating the two outstanding suspects and preventing further criminal activities.