Ghana Police Arrest Nigerian, Kill 2 In Alleged Foiled Bank Robbery

The Ghana Police Service has arrested a Nigerian identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi and killed two other suspected members of a robbery gang after an intelligence-led operation foiled an alleged plan to attack banks in the Labone area of Accra.

The Police Service noted in a statement that the incident occurred on Thursday after it received intelligence about 10:45am that a robbery syndicate was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in Labone.

It added that a response team was immediately deployed to the area, where officers found members of the suspected gang in vehicles parked close to the banks, noting that one of the vehicles sped away after the suspects noticed the officers, but the operatives pursued the vehicle and arrested Maazi while another occupant escaped.

“The robbers in the second vehicle also tried to escape amidst firing, but the police engaged them in a shootout, resulting in the death of two suspects,” the Police Service stated, adding that a fourth suspect reportedly escaped during the operation and a manhunt has been launched to apprehend him.

The Service explained that the police subsequently recovered two vehicles allegedly linked to the suspects, including a Toyota Highlander with registration number, GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number, GS 7915-17, as well as a blow pistol.

The police said that Maazi remained in police custody and was assisting investigators, while the bodies of the two deceased suspects had been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.

The Service urged members of the public to continue to provide credible information on suspected criminal activities.

However, GCB Bank has denied that its Labone branch was robbed or that an attempted robbery took place on its premises.

In a statement issued after the police announcement, the bank said neither its premises nor its operations were breached.

GCB said no customer, employee, funds or property of the bank was affected by the incident.

The police have not indicated whether the alleged plan involved entering the banks or targeting customers and other individuals in the vicinity.(daily trust)