Crime

Ghana Police foil armed robbery targeted at Accra banks; Nigerian national arrested

Published

55 mins ago

August 14, 2026

The Ghana Police Service has thwarted a major armed robbery plot aimed at multiple financial institutions in the Labone area of Accra, leading to the arrest of a Nigerian national and the deaths of two alleged accomplices during a shootout.

According to an official statement issued by the police, security agencies received actionable intelligence around 10:45 a.m. on August 13 regarding a gang of armed robbers preparing to hit branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank, and Zenith Bank—all located in the commercial district of Labone.

Law enforcement officers were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they identified the suspects monitoring the premises from two parked vehicles near the targeted banks.

Upon noticing the approaching police presence, occupants of one of the vehicles attempted a high-speed getaway. Officers gave chase and managed to intercept the vehicle, arresting one suspect, identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi, a Nigerian national. A second occupant in the same vehicle managed to flee on foot and remains at large.

Simultaneously, armed members in the second vehicle attempted to escape while opening fire on police personnel. Officers returned fire in an exchange of bullets, resulting in the fatal shooting of two suspects at the scene.

During the operation, police recovered two vehicles—a Toyota Highlander (registration number GS-1434-18) and a Hyundai Tucson (registration number GS 7915-17)—along with a blow pistol and other items of interest.

The suspect, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, remains in police custody and is assisting investigators as security forces continue a manhunt for the remaining fleeing gang members. The bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at a mortuary for identification and autopsy.

Police authorities reassured the public and local businesses of heightened security operations across the capital, urging residents to report any suspicious activity to aid ongoing investigations.