THREE SUSPECTED robbers have reportedly been killed in a fierce gun fight between some hoodlums and policemen at Poano in the Ashanti Region, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command has officially announced.
The deceased persons are Emmanuel Boamah Gyebi alias ‘Begee’, 38; Felix Topman, aka ‘Rasta’, 29; and Yaw Adu Gyamfi alias ‘Forsher’, 56, who is alleged to have killed some of his robbery victims in the past.
The three suspects, especially Forsher, who was on police wanted list for committing numerous crimes, were arrested by the police at Dousarp Hotel at Atwima Mmim near Nkawie in the Ashanti Region on September 22, 2026.
During interrogation, the trio admitted their guilt and told police that they were planning another robbery attack at Anwia Nkwanta-Antoakrom road, adding that their guns have been hidden in a bush at Poano ahead of the robbery attack.
The suspects then led the police to Poano to retrieve the hidden weapons. But unknown to the police, some members of the robbery gang, who were armed, had already laid ambush in the bush at Poano.
The trigger-happy hoodlums instantly opened fire at the police and injured one of them when they reached the bush. At that moment, the three arrested suspects started to run to escape arrest, but they were hit by bullets fired by the police.
The three injured suspects were then rushed to the Bekwai Municipal Hospital for treatment, but they were declared dead on arrival by medical personnel on duty. Their bodies have been deposited in a morgue for autopsy.
“On September 22, 2026, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command gathered intelligence to the effect that the suspect popularly known as Forsher and his gang, who are wanted in connection with a series of robberies in Obuasi, New Edubiase and Manso areas in the Ashanti Region, were believed to be hiding at Dousarp Hotel at Atwima Mmim near Nkawie in the Ashanti Region and preparing to commit crime.
“A team of police officers was dispatched to the said hotel. At about 1400 hours, suspects Yaw Adu Gyamfi alias Forsher, 56; Emmanuel Boamah Gyebi alias Begee, 38; and Felix Topman alias Rasta, 29, were arrested.
“During interrogation, suspect Yaw Gyamfi alias Forsher admitted involvement in several robbery incidents and killings, including the following.
“The killing of the Chief of Atwima Mmim, who was allegedly killed in a bathroom some years ago; the killing of the Chief of Atwima Koforidua; the Mankranso robbery which occurred on August 7, 2026 at about 0225 hours; several roadblock robberies at Nkawie and its environs, the dates of which they could not remember. He also admitted that he shot DCOP/Rev./Dr./ Nana Samuel Adane Ameyaw Nyamekye (Rtd) in the leg.
“Yaw Gyamfi aka Forsher implicated Emmanuel Boamah Gyebi alias Begee and Felix Topman alias Rasta as his accomplices. A search conducted during their arrest revealed one pump-action gun, twelve (6) rounds of BB cartridges and eight (8) rounds of .32 Auto ammunition.
“The suspects further disclosed that they were planning to carry out an attack tonight on the Anwia Nkwanta–Antoakrom Motor Road. They indicated that additional weapons had been concealed underground in a bush at Poano, which they claimed were intended for the planned attack on road users.
“At about 1900 hours, the police team continued with the operation, during which the suspects led the team to the said location at Poano to retrieve the concealed weapons.
“During the search, unknown person(s) from within the bush opened fire on the police team, and the suspects also ran and attempted to escape through the bush. The police team returned fire in self-defence, resulting in all three suspects sustaining gunshot injuries.
“In the course of the exchange of gunfire, C/Insp. Joseph Kwakye also sustained a minor injury and is currently receiving medical treatment. The other suspect firer(s), believed to have sustained gunshot wounds, managed to escape into the bush,” a police report, sighted by the paper, disclosed
The police, during a search in the bush, recovered one unmarked AK-47 assault rifle loaded with 16 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, two unmarked pump-action guns and 24 rounds of “BB” cartridges, concealed in a sack and hidden under a palm tree.
Meanwhile, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured that investigations are ongoing and strenuous efforts are also being made to apprehend the escaped suspects who opened fire at the police in the bush.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi