Bono Regional Police Arrest Seven Suspected Armed Robbers in Major Anti-Crime Operation
Credit: Credit: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari
The Bono Regional Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of criminal gangs believed to be behind a series of robbery attacks and related offences within the region and adjoining communities. The arrests, carried out over a one-month period, form part of an intensified police crackdown on violent crime.
Addressing the media at the Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani, the Bono Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joshua Coppson, disclosed the identities of the suspects as:
- Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, 47, ex-convict and alleged gang leader
- Shadrach Owusu (alias Shark), 25
- Kwafo Samuel, 30, ex-convict
- Latif Mustapha (alias Star Boy), 28
- Mosby Owusu, 20
- Kofi Iddrisa, 45
- Baba Kumi Foster, 35
Foiled Robbery on Berekum–Drobo Road
DCOP Coppson explained that on 18th November 2025, some members of the gang attempted to rob commuters on the Berekum–Drobo Road, but swift police intervention foiled the attack. Investigations later confirmed that the attempted robbery was executed by a five-member group led by Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo.
The commander, however, dismissed claims circulating in a viral video alleging a separate robbery on the same stretch that day, stating that no such incident occurred and no complaint had been filed.
During interrogations, suspects Kwafo Samuel and Shadrach Owusu confessed to their involvement in the attempted robbery and identified Johnson Amponsah as the leader. They also admitted their roles in other robbery operations, particularly in Nkaseim in the Ahafo Region.
Arrest of Gang Leader and Recovery of Weapons
Police later tracked and arrested Johnson Amponsah at his hideout in Nyamennae, a suburb of Berekum. A search in his room led to the recovery of:
- Quantities of Indian hemp
- Two motorcycle helmets
- Two machetes
The items have been kept as exhibits to aid prosecution.
Crackdown on Second Criminal Network
In a separate intelligence-led operation targeting another gang in Berekum and surrounding communities, police arrested Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu at Domfete, near Berekum. Latif attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling but was quickly apprehended.
A third suspect, Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, aged 18—and believed to be the original owner of a recovered pistol—was arrested earlier for stealing and is currently on remand.
A search in Latif Mustapha’s room uncovered a cache of items including:
- Full military camouflage uniform and jacket
- A black Cruxnut Glock toy gun
- Two live and three spent soft-foam bullets
- A taser
- Military boots
- Pepper spray
- Jack knives and a kitchen knife
- Several talismans and war regalia
- Five scissors
- A spanner
- Fourteen toffees suspected to be laced with Indian hemp
- Two laptops (HP and NEC)
- One swimming goggle
- One long screwdriver
Further investigations led to the discovery of a Parabellum Model R-9 Hungarian pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in the room of Mosby Owusu. Police say the weapon belonged to Latif Mustapha, who allegedly sold it to Mosby for GH¢9,000, yet continued to retrieve it occasionally for his own use.
Arrests for Receiving Stolen Motorcycles
In another operation, police targeted individuals involved in receiving stolen motorcycles and tricycles and transporting them to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire. Suspects Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster were arrested at Ewiakrom near Nkrankwanta, where police retrieved three motorcycles and one tricycle from them.
Suspects Arraigned Before Court
On 2nd December 2025, three key suspects—Johnson Amponsah, Shadrach Owusu, and Kwafo Samuel—were arraigned before the Fiapre Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery.
They were remanded by Her Worship Akua Adoma Addae to reappear on 22nd December 2025.
On the same day, suspects Latif Mustapha and Mosby Owusu appeared before the Sunyani District Court B on charges including:
- Illicit trafficking of firearms
- Possession of firearms without authority
- Possession of military uniforms without authority
They were also remanded by His Worship Eric Daning to reappear on 15th December 2025.
Meanwhile, suspects Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster, arrested for dishonestly receiving stolen property, have been granted police enquiry bail pending further investigations.
