FIVE NIGERIAN nationals have been apprehended by the police for their involvement in targeted vehicle thefts in the Kumasi Metropolis, the capital of Ashanti Region.
The nabbed suspects, who are in police custody are Russell Ekenze, 29, taxi driver, Francis Friday, 49, politician, Linus Agwazie, 51, trader, Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim.
Five other suspects, including four Nigerians and one Ghanaian, who are reported to be part of the syndicate, are being hunted by the police to also assist in investigations.
They include Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, Ezuchukwu, C.J., and Lele, who are all Nigerians and one D.D who, according to the police, is believed to be a Ghanaian.
According to the police, Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, who is an integral member of the syndicate, sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest, but managed to escape arrest.
The suspects, who work as a group, would let some of their members loiter around banking halls and car parks to identify customers withdrawing substantial amounts of money.
Those in the banking hall would then alert their accomplices, who would trail the unsuspecting victim in their vehicles and strike when an opportunity presented itself, the police said.
DCOP Emmanuel Teye-Cudjoe, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, addressing the press on Monday, said several people have fallen victims to the illegal activities of the group.
For instance, he said, “On November 15, 2024, a victim on board a Toyota Camry withdrew an amount of GH¢107,000 at the Agricultural Development Bank at Ahodwo roundabout. These syndicate on board a Toyota Highlander broke into his vehicle and made away with money at the bank’s parking lot.
“On March 18, 2025, one of their victims withdrew an amount of GH¢88,000 from a financial institution and parked his vehicle around Obaa Yaa Chop Bar. These syndicate broke into the vehicle and stole the cash.
“On March 19, 2025, another victim after withdrawing an amount of GH¢22,000 from the Absa Bank – KNUST branch, kept the money in her Kia sportage private car and parked same at KNUST Hospital Emergency Unit.
“The suspects on board same Toyota Highlander broke into the Kia sportage private car and stole the said amount of money.
“Again, on March 24, 2025, another victim withdrew an amount of GH¢100,000 from Zenith Bank – KNUST branch. He drove to Ayeduase and parked at Afrifa junction stretch. The syndicate broke into the vehicle and stole the money.
“On April 9, 2025, a customer of the Ghana Commercial Bank – Suame branch, went to withdraw an amount of GH¢95,000 and kept the money in his Rav 4 and parked at a nearby food joint at Tafo Pankrono, the syndicate on same two Toyota Highlanders broke into the vehicle and stole the money.”
DCOP Teye-Cudjoe disclosed that, disturbing reports about the operations of the group had become rampant, so the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) decided to pounce on them.
He said through surveillance, police detected that “A gold-coloured Toyota Highlander with registration number GT 2471-14. A black Toyota Highlander with registration number GX 7124-12,” which bore fake licence plates, were being used by the suspects for the operations.
“On Thursday, 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. During 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,” the police disclosed.
On Cosmas Maduabuchukwu, DCOP Teye-Cudjoe said he sustained gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest and managed to flee, adding that intelligence later revealed that he sought refuge at a drinking bar in Kenyase, owned by Gifty Ozurumbam and Gladys Ibrahim, who are among the five arrested suspects.
“These two individuals have since been arrested for obstructing police investigations by failing to disclose Cosmas’ whereabouts,” DCOP Teye-Cudjoe said, noting the five nabbed suspects would be arraigned soon.
He also said the arrested suspects also confessed to committing similar crimes in parts of Accra, adding that “Accordingly, the Command will liaise with the Greater Accra Regional Police to assist in extending the investigation.”
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi