Ghana’s Police Service has announced the arrest of seven individuals in connection with a highway robbery that targeted multiple travellers — including a sitting member of the Council of State — along the Tamale–Buipe stretch of road in mid-2025. The arrests follow months of investigations and intelligence gathering by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), signalling what authorities describe as renewed efforts to clamp down on organised highway crime. Details of the Tamale–Buipe Incident
According to police briefings, the robbery occurred on July 21, 2025, when a group of armed men reportedly intercepted vehicles and forcefully took valuables from occupants. Among the victims was a member of the Council of State, a constitutional advisory body to the President. Investigators believe the attackers operated in a coordinated manner, targeting motorists travelling during vulnerable hours on the highway.
The seven suspects — Rashida Yussif, Aaron Abaana, Wilson Abasong, Muntaru Iddrisu, Aminu Zibrilla, Innusa Sumaila, and Haruna Safianu — were apprehended on January 11, 2026 after what police described as sustained surveillance and follow-up operations. Authorities say the arrests were made in different locations as investigators tracked communications, movement patterns, and alleged links between the individuals.
Items reported stolen during the incident included mobile phones, cash, wristwatches, reading glasses, a laptop computer, and other personal belongings. Law enforcement officials have not yet disclosed whether any of the items have been recovered, but they confirm that forensic and digital analyses are continuing as part of the case.
Police Briefing and Ongoing Investigations
Addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Accra on January 29, the Director-General of the CID, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, stated that investigations are still active and additional arrests are possible if new evidence emerges. She explained that early findings suggested the attackers were armed and operated as a group, which heightened the level of threat to victims and complicated initial pursuit efforts.
The CID boss emphasized that the arrests represent only one phase of a broader anti-robbery strategy involving intelligence sharing, community cooperation, and increased highway patrols. She also noted that investigators are examining whether the suspects may be connected to other unsolved robbery cases along major transit corridors in the northern sector.
Separate Operation in the Ahafo Region
In a related but distinct development, police also confirmed the arrest of five additional suspects tied to another highway robbery in the Ahafo Region. That operation, which took place on January 16, 2026, was described as intelligence-led and focused on an incident that occurred on December 2, 2025, along the Goaso–Tepa road near Nkasei.
The individuals arrested in that case — Muta Kofi, Mahamadu Sajoe (also known as Salifu), Shaibu Issah, Abdul Suleman, and Bukari Sule (alias Taylor) — are alleged to have worked with other accomplices to obstruct traffic and rob travellers while armed. Police say investigations are continuing to identify and apprehend the remaining suspects believed to have fled after the incident.
Broader Security Concerns and Public Advisory
Highway robberies have periodically raised concern among commuters, commercial drivers, and transport unions, particularly on long intercity routes where visibility and police presence can be limited at certain hours. Security analysts note that such crimes often involve planning, knowledge of traffic patterns, and quick dispersal after the act, making intelligence work crucial for arrests.
In her remarks, COP Donkor urged the public to exercise caution while travelling, avoid displaying valuables openly, and refrain from sharing sensitive personal or travel information with unfamiliar individuals. She added that timely reporting of suspicious activity and cooperation with law enforcement significantly improve response times and investigative outcomes.
The Police Service reiterated its commitment to intensifying patrols, deploying technology-assisted surveillance where feasible, and strengthening collaboration with local communities to deter criminal activity on highways. Authorities maintain that while arrests are an important milestone, sustained vigilance and preventive measures remain essential to improving road safety nationwide.
Source: Africa Publicity
