Police Intensify Crime Combat: Multiple Arrests in Ashanti Robberies and Oyarifa Abuse Case

The Ghana Police Service has significantly intensified its operations against violent crime and social abuses, resulting in several high-profile arrests across the Ashanti and Greater Accra regions. In the Ashanti Region, the Regional Police Command has apprehended 12 individuals linked to a series of robberies, including three suspects directly connected to the murder of the Kusasi Chief in Asawase, Kumasi. The suspects, identified as Abdalah Alhassan, Jemini Usman (alias Babamu), and Suleman Yasir Arafat (alias Obasanjo), among others, were caught following intelligence-led operations. During these encounters, two suspects sustained fatal gunshot wounds, while police recovered an AK-47 assault rifle and a Toyota Corolla believed to have been used in the commission of the crimes.

Simultaneously, the Ashanti North Regional Police Command has dismantled a 12-member highway robbery syndicate following a two-month intelligence operation. This gang, which includes ex-convicts and individuals out on bail, is believed to be responsible for a major robbery in February where over GH""57,000 was stolen. Police recovered weapons and mobile phones linked to these attacks and are currently pursuing two additional accomplices. These operations highlight a broader strategy to secure the nation’s highways and urban centers against organized criminal networks.

In the Greater Accra Region, law enforcement has addressed sensitive cases involving domestic and institutional abuse. The Oyarifa District Police Command arrested 40-year-old Pastor Paul Kofi Annan for the alleged serial defilement of his nine-year-old stepdaughter over a three-year period. Investigations suggest the suspect used threats to silence the victim until a formal complaint was lodged by the child’s mother. This case coincides with a growing focus on ethical misconduct within religious circles, recently highlighted by a separate scandal involving a church treasurer who confessed to a three-year affair with her pastor and the subsequent mismanagement of over GH""3 million in church funds.

In anticipation of upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, the Accra Regional Police Command has assured the public of enhanced security measures to maintain order. Personnel will be deployed to mosques, major roads, and community hubs to manage traffic and deter criminal activity. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security officers to ensure a peaceful festive period. These combined efforts reflect the Service’s commitment to proactive policing, community safety, and the protection of vulnerable citizens from both violent crime and exploitation.