COP Lydia Yaako Donkor
Director-General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, has assured that her outfit, with the support of other security organisations across the continent, are working effortlessly to curb the increasing cases of vehicle theft, human trafficking, and other crimes in the country.
Addressing journalists at a brief press conference at the CID Headquarters in Accra, COP Donkor stated that it has become necessary for the security service to liaise with other sister security agencies due to the transnational nature of the crimes occurring in the country, particularly on matters of the fight against human trafficking and vehicle thefts.
Vehicle Thefts
According to COP Donkor, between September 15 and 17, 2025, they recovered 10 vehicles, comprising eight Toyota RAV4 vehicles and two Toyota CH-Rs.
These vehicles were reportedly stolen from the Netherlands and were traced to Kantamanto, Nima, and Cantonments in Accra.
The Criminal Investigations Department has intensified its efforts to address the growing challenge of transnational vehicle crime. Vehicle theft not only causes financial loss to victims but also tarnishes Ghana’s international reputation and fuels other organised criminal activities, she added.
The CID boss stated that this recovery was made possible through collaboration with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, as well as international partners and the embassies of affected countries.
“Recently, the Police collaborated with the Netherlands Embassy and Digitpol, a security company that works closely with the Netherlands Police, to track and recover stolen vehicles trafficked into Ghana,” she stated.
She further cautioned the public to be vigilant when purchasing vehicles, emphasising that prospective buyers are strongly advised to demand proof of ownership from the country of origin, saying, “Vehicle details can also be verified with INTERPOL Accra before finalising any purchase.”
Human Trafficking
On the issue of human trafficking, COP Donkor announced that between September 5 to 19, 2025, a police operation rescued some 60 victims of trafficking.
This includes 41 foreign nationals rescued from Ghana and 19 Ghanaians rescued from abroad. All the rescued persons have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for reintegration into their families.
She stated that while the Police Administration remains unrelenting in its fight against human trafficking, criminals, on the other hand, continue to lure victims with promises of lucrative job opportunities abroad, only to subject them to exploitation.
“Investigations have shown that traffickers now adopt new methods, transiting victims through multiple countries before reaching their final destination to evade detection. This fight requires a collective effort. Families, communities, and survivors are urged to share their experiences to prevent others from falling victim,” she stated.
Kasoa Murder Case
Following the murder of three persons at Tuba Net-Link Estates, a suburb of Kasoa in the Central Region, the Ghana Police Service has arrested suspect Samuel Amoah, also known as Biggie, after months of search.
The murder incident occurred on May 19, 2024, after the police received information about a violent incident where a 39-year-old female, identified as Alberta Hagan, together with her three children, were seen lying in a pool of blood in their room.
Police inspected the bodies and detected that one of the children was alive but with multiple deep cuts to his head and blood oozing from his ear. Also, a five-month-old baby was found alive on a sofa in the hall. The injured child was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased persons were taken to the Police Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy.
According to COP Donkor, a postmortem examination confirmed that the victims died from severe head injuries caused by assault.
“Investigations established that the suspect had been living with the victims and was in a relationship with Alberta Hagan, and their relationship had recently deteriorated due to a dispute over financial matters. In a fit of rage, the suspect attacked Alberta and the two children who witnessed the incident,” she said.
COP Donkor added that the suspect fled the scene and went into hiding, but after months of sustained intelligence operations, he was arrested on September 17, 2025 at Suhum in the Eastern Region, stating that during interrogation, he admitted to committing the crime and expressed regret over his actions.
“The suspect remains in police custody, assisting in further investigations. He will be arraigned before the court to face charges relating to the murders,” she said.
Spintex Robbery
COP Lydia Donkor, addressing the recent robbery incident at Spintex, said the Police Service received a report on September 14, 2025 concerning a 35-year-old man at Spintex in Accra, who was robbed at about 3:25 a.m. by two armed men.
These armed robbers broke into the house and robbed the complainant of gold jewellery, a laptop, wristwatches, handbags, clothing, and cash. The amount taken included US$5,000 and GH¢21,645.
“Police officers visited the scene where a machete, a metal cutter, and a T-shirt believed to have been left behind by the suspects were retrieved for evidential purposes. The crime scene was documented, and investigations commenced immediately,” she stated.
On September 18, 2025, acting on reliable intelligence, the police arrested suspect Prince Opoku, alias Agyenkwa, together with a Nigerian national, Jennifer Nweke, at Adenta.
“A search conducted on them revealed some of the stolen items, including jewellery, mobile phones, and large sums of cash. The suspects later led investigators to their hideout in Agbogba, where additional stolen items belonging to the complainant were retrieved,” she added.
COP Donkor disclosed that during interrogation, suspect Opoku admitted his involvement in the crime and mentioned one Mensah, alias Taller, as his accomplice and leader of the operation.
She said the suspect later led the police to Glefe, a suburb of Dansoman Last Stop, where a bag containing one (1) Philippine passport and two ladies’ purses containing business and ATM cards was retrieved.
“A wrapped black polythene bag containing travelling documents was also found at the scene near a rubbish dump close to his second place of abode. Strenuous efforts are currently underway to trace and arrest other suspects who are currently on the run to face justice.
“Both suspects are in custody, assisting in investigations, and will be put before the court upon completion of the process,” she indicated.
COP Donkor reiterated the commitment of the Ghana Police Service in protecting the public, and assured that collaborations with international partners will be sustained and intensified to tackle crimes.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke