Several members of criminal gangs who have been involved in a series of robbery and other crime related activities within the Bono Region and its surrounding communities have arrested and arraigned by the Bono Regional Police Command.

The success, according to a statement by the Ghana Police Service (GPS), was due to sustained intelligence led operations.

The suspects arrested in the course of the operations are Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, an ex-convict aged 47; Shadrach Owusu also known as Shark, aged 25; Kwafo Samuel, an ex-convict aged 30; Latif Mustapha also known as Star Boy, aged 28; Mosby Owusu, aged 20; Kofi Iddrisa, aged 45; and Baba Kumi Foster, aged 35.

Police said on November 18, 2025, some of the gang members attempted to rob some persons on the Berekum-Drobo Road. However, due to the timely intervention of the Police Patrol Team, that robbery was foiled. They said the attempted robbery was carried out by a five-member robbery gang led by Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo.

"During separate interrogations, suspects Kwafo Samuel and Shadrach Owusu confessed to their involvement in the attack and identified Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo as their leader and mastermind. They further admitted involvement in several other robbery attacks, particularly in the Nkaseim area within the Ahafo Region," the statement explained.

Police said, subsequently, a targeted intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of suspect Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo at his hideout at Nyamennae, a suburb of Berekum.

"A search conducted in his room led to the retrieval of quantities of Indian hemp, two motorcycle helmets, and two machetes. These items have been retained as exhibits for evidential purposes," police underlined.

Police said in another targeted intelligence led operation aimed at dismantling another criminal gang operating within Berekum and its environs, the Regional Police Intelligence (PID) team arrested suspects Latif Mustapha also known as Star Boy and Mosby Owusu at Domtete, a suburb of Berekum.

"Upon noticing the presence of the police, Latif Mustapha attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling of his residence but was arrested after a thorough and painstaking search. A third suspect Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, aged 18, who was the original owner of the recovered pistol was arrested by the Berekum Police for stealing and is on remand," police narrated.

"A search conducted in the room of Latif Mustapha led to the retrieval of one full set of military camouflage uniform and a military jacket, one black Cruxnut Glock toy gun, two live and three spent soft foam bullets, a taser, one pair of military boots, pepper spray, one kitchen knife, three jack knives, several talismans and war regalia, five pairs of scissors, one spanner, fourteen pieces of toffee suspected to be laced with Indian hemp, one HP laptop, one NEC laptop, one swimming goggle and one long screwdriver."

According to GPS, further investigations uncovered one Parabellum Model R-9 Hungarian pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition concealed in the single room accommodation of suspect Mosby Owusu.

"Interrogation revealed that the said weapon was the property of Latif Mustapha, who allegedly sold it to Mosby Owusu for the sum of GHS9000.00 but continued to take custody of the weapon from time to time," police said.

In pursuit of other accomplices who were involved in the dishonest receipt of stolen motorcycles and tricycles and who facilitated the conveyance of these items to neighbouring Côte d'Ivoire, police said they arrested Kofi Iddrisa, aged 45; and Baba Kumi Foster, aged 35, at Ewiakrom, near Nkrankwanta.

"Three motorcycles and one tricycle were retrieved from them and retained for evidential purposes," they indicated.

On December 2, 2025, Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, Shadrach Owusu, and Kwafo Samuel were arraigned before the Fiapre Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit crime; to wit robbery and attempt to commit crime to wit robbery.

Presiding Judge Akua Adoma Addae remanded them into police custody to reappear on December 22, 2025 for hearing.

On the same day, police noted,  suspect Latif Mustapha also known as Star Boy and suspect Mosby Owusu were separately arraigned before the Sunyani District Court B on charges of illicit rafficking of firearms without lawful authority, possession of firearms without lawful authority and possession of military uniforms without lawfiul authority.

Presiding Judge Eric Daning remanded them into police custody to reappear on December 15, 2025.

"However, suspects Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster, who are being investigated for dishonestly receiving, have been granted police enquiry bail pending further investigations," police said.

The Bono Regional Police Command assured the public that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest the remaining accomplices who are currently at large and to recover other illicit weapons used in the commission of the crimes stated above.

The command also called on the general public to assist the police with credible information that would lead to the arrest of all persons connected to these criminal activities, they continued to "work tirelessly to enhance safety and security across the region".