The suspected killers
THE LEADER of a carjacking gang, Eric Antwi Duku, 42, has been shot dead, and four other members of the group have also been nabbed by the police in Kumasi.
The IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, mentioned the four suspects as Akwasi Manu, 47; Bashiru Tanko alias ‘TK’, 33; Kojo Amponsah alias ‘Kamakazi”, 35; and Emmanuel Kwame Appiah alias ‘Taller’.
Duku and his group, he said, goes by the name ‘Duku Syndicate’, and they usually identify owners of pickup and land cruiser vehicles, and monitor them in order to snatch the vehicles.
The carjackers, he said, on February 10, 2026, shot one Mr. Andrews Amankwah and snatched his Toyota Hilux vehicle at Ohwim-Amanfrom in Kumasi and fled. The victim later died in the hospital.
According to the IGP, the ‘Duku Syndicate’ had been on the police radar for a while, and the Service intensified search for the suspects, resulting in the arrest of four members and the killing of Duku, the gang leader.
“On February 18, 2026, Akwasi Manu, 47-year-old farmer, was arrested for unlawful possession of the deceased victim’s Samsung mobile phone. His arrest provided the initial breakthrough in the investigations.
“On February 19, 2026, Bashiru Tanko alias “TK,” aged 33, was arrested at Atonsu, Kumasi. Investigations revealed his prior involvement in car-snatching activities in Tarkwa and KNUST.
“Intelligence, however, suggests he was sidelined from the most recent fatal operations due to an internal financial dispute within the syndicate.
“On February 21, 2026, Kojo Amponsah alias “Kamakazi,” aged 35, was arrested at Hwireso near Boankra. His interrogation provided critical intelligence linking the syndicate to multiple violent robberies involving Toyota Hilux vehicles in Kumasi.
“On February 22, 2026, at 11:00 p.m., the alleged syndicate leader, Eric Antwi Duku, aged 42, sustained gunshot wounds during an operation, and was later pronounced dead at the hospital,” IGP Yohuno told the media in Kumasi on Monday.
“A Bruni Mod 84 pistol, Eight (8) rounds of live ammunition, a tracking detection device, forged vehicle documents and Toyota Corolla S belonging to the deceased suspect (impounded),” he disclosed.
The IGP said the ‘Duku Syndicate’ operated in Tarkwa, Kumasi and other areas where they snatched a lot of cars, stressing that their arrest would help reduce car snatching incidents in the country.
“The gang also have some contacts at Offinso and in Dubai as well as some contacts with some Goro boys at the DVLA who facilitate the preparation of fake vehicle documents for them.
“The syndicate has been linked to similar robberies at Tarkwa, Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region,” the IGP said and added, “the gang leader, Eric Antwi Duku, often travels with his wife to Dubai to cool off.”
The police, he said, “will make life uncomfortable for criminal elements in the country. No matter how much they run or hide, we will continue to pursue them to dismantle their activities and bring them to justice.”
The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Arthur Osei-Akoto, said “Criminal elements who threaten public safety will be pursued relentlessly and brought to justice. We encourage members of the public to continue volunteering credible information to support our crime-fighting efforts.”
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi