Police Bust Car Thieves In Kumasi – All Nigerians

The Ashanti Regional Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) has made a significant breakthrough in dismantling a criminal syndicate responsible for a series of targeted vehicle thefts across the Kumasi Metropolis.

DCOP Mr. Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, at a press briefing in Kumasi explained that over the past few months, his outfit had received numerous reports involving individuals who, after withdrawing large sums of money from financial institutions, were trailed and had their vehicle broken into.

These thefts typically occurred when victims left their vehicles unattended. He disclosed that the perpetrators, often using Toyota Highlander vehicles, gained access to the vehicles using either master keys or forcibly breaking into them.
According to him, investigations had revealed that the syndicate operated in a coordinated manner as one of the suspects would loiter around banking halls and car parks to identify customers withdrawing substantial amounts of money.

He said the individuals would then alert their accomplices, who would trail the victim in their vehicles and strike when an opportunity presented itself. The Regional Commander indicated that on November 15, 2024, a victim on board a Toyota Camry withdrew an amount of GHc 107,000 at the Agricultural Development Bank at Ahodwo roundabout.

The syndicate on board a Toyota Highlander broke into his vehicle and made away with the money at the banks parking lot.

On March 18, 2025 one of their victims withdrew an amount of GHc88,000 from a financial institution and parked his vehicle around Obaa Yaa chop bar, and had the money stolen after the suspects broke into the vehicle.

He stated that on March 19, 2025, another victim after withdrawing an amount of GHc22,000 from the Absa bank – KNUST branch, kept the money in her KIA Sportage private car and parked same at KNUST Hospital Emergency Unit.

The suspect on board same Toyota Highlander broke into the KIA sportage private car and stole the said amount of money.

On March 24, 2025 another victim withdrew an amount of GHc100,000 from Zenith bank- KNUST branch.

He drove to Ayeduase and parked at Afrifa junction stretch where the syndicate broke into the vehicle and stole the money.

It was further revealed that April 9, 2025, a customer of the Suame branch of the GCB Bank  went to withdraw an amount of GHc95,000 and kept the money in his Rav 4 and parked at a nearby food joint at Tafo Pankrono where the syndicate using two Toyota highlanders broke into the vehicle and stole the money.

On June11, 2025 a victim withdrew an amount of GHc85,000 from the National Investment Bank, Suame and headed to Asawase market near the Central mosque, but the syndicate on Toyota Highlander trailed the victim, tampered with the victim’s vehicle and made away with the money.

The Regional Police chief said through sustained intelligence-gathering and surveillance, supported by footage from the intelligence video surveillance (IVS) system monitored at the Police Emergency Command Centre, at the Regional headquarters, two suspect vehicles were identified: A gold-coloured Toyota Highlander with registration number GT 2471-14 and a black Toyota Highlander with registration number GX 7124-12. It was later confirmed that both vehicles bore fake licence plates.

He said on June 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., PID operatives successfully arrested three suspects: Russell Ekenze, 29, taxi driver, Francis Friday, 49, politician and Linus Agwazie, 51, trader.

A 6-inch T-shaped metal tool, believed to be used as a master key in the thefts, was recovered from one of the vehicles during the arrest.

According to him, upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to being part of a larger criminal syndicate.

They admitted to carrying out similar thefts at several locations within Kumasi, including Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Mayanka, Asokwa, Kumasi Central Mosque, Shoprite, Kumasi and Georgia Hotel area. They also identified other members of the syndicate as Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, Ezuchukwu, C.J., D.D. and Le.

One of the key suspects, Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, sustained gunshot wounds during an attempt to arrest him  and managed to flee. The police have mounted a manhunt for Cosmas Maduabuchukwu and the other accomplices who are still at large.

Intelligence later revealed that he sought refuge at a drinking bar in Kenyase, owned by Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim.

These two individuals have since been arrested for obstructing police investigations by failing to disclose Cosmas’ whereabouts. Five suspects are currently in police custody and two the vehicles used by the syndicate have been impounded.

He revealed that preliminary findings indicate that all members of the syndicate are Nigerian nationals, with the exception of one suspect, D.D., who is believed to be Ghanaian. Suspects Francis Friday, Linus Agwazie, Russell Ekenze, Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim have since been arraigned before court today to secure lawful remand in police custody pending further investigations.

Investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice.

During questioning, the suspects also confessed to committing similar crimes in parts of Accra. Accordingly, the Command will liaise with the Greater Accra Regional Police to assist in the investigations.

In another development, the Nkawie Divisional Police Command has arrested a suspect in connection with a recent case of robbery and murder.

Suspect William Ofori Atta, 29, was apprehended at Kukuom in the Ahafo Region for his involvement in the robbery and killing of one Emmanuel Kwabena Boakye, 28.

The incident occurred on May 26, 2025, at approximately 12:45 p.m., at the Radiance Filling Station in Mpasatia, Ashanti Region, where the victim was employed.

Following a coordinated investigation led by the Ashanti Regional Cyber Crime Unit, the Kukuom Police, and the Nkawie Divisional Command, the suspect was arrested from his hideout at Kukuom on June 21, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m.

During police interrogation, the suspect admitted to shooting and killing the victim. He is currently in custody and will be arraigned in due course to face justice.

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