The Bono Regional Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its fight against armed robbery and organised crime, following the arrest and prosecution of several suspects believed to be behind a series of violent attacks across the region.
Addressing the media at the Regional Police Headquarters in Sunyani, the Bono Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Joshua Coppson, said the arrests were made through coordinated, intelligence-led operations in Berekum, Drobo, Nkaseim, Domfete, Ewiakrom, and nearby communities.
According to him, the operations targeted criminal syndicates involved in armed robbery, firearm trafficking, and the movement of stolen motorcycles to neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire.
The suspects arrested include:
Johnson Amponsah Kwame Diawuo, 47;
Shadrach Owusu (alias Shark), 25;
Kwafo Samuel, 30;
Latif Mustapha (alias Star Boy), 28;
Mosby Owusu, 20;
Kofi Iddrisa, 45;
Kwabena Agon Azubilla Akalotey, 18; and
Baba Kumi Foster, 35.
DCOP Coppson revealed that police investigations established that on 18 November 2025, a five-member gang led by Johnson Amponsah attempted to rob travellers along the Berekum–Drobo Road. The attempted robbery was foiled by a swift response from a Police Patrol Team.
During interrogation, suspects Kwafo Samuel and Shadrach Owusu confessed their involvement and named Johnson Amponsah as the ringleader. They also admitted taking part in multiple robberies, especially around Nkaseim in the Ahafo Region.
A subsequent operation led to Amponsah’s arrest at his hideout in Nyamennae, a suburb of Berekum. A search of his room uncovered quantities of Indian hemp, two motorcycle helmets, and two machetes, all retained as exhibits.
In a separate operation, personnel from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate arrested Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu at Domfete near Berekum. Latif attempted to evade arrest by hiding in his ceiling but was eventually apprehended.
A search of Latif’s room uncovered a cache of items, including:
• full military camouflage uniform
• military jacket and boots
• toy Glock pistol
• taser
• live and spent foam bullets
• pepper spray
• multiple knives and scissors
• talismans and war regalia
• two laptops
• swimming goggles
• toffees suspected to be laced with Indian hemp
Further investigations uncovered a Parabellum Model R-9 Hungarian pistol loaded with two rounds of 9mm ammunition, concealed in the room of Mosby Owusu. He told police he bought the weapon from Latif Mustapha for GHS 9,000, though Latif often retrieved it from him.
To dismantle another network involved in receiving and transporting stolen motorcycles and tricycles to Côte d’Ivoire, police arrested Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster at Ewiakrom near Nkrankwanta. Three motorcycles and one tricycle were recovered.
On 2 December 2025, suspects Johnson Amponsah, Shadrach Owusu, and Kwafo Samuel were arraigned before the Fiapre Circuit Court on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery. They were remanded to reappear on 22 December 2025.
On the same day, Latif Mustapha (Star Boy) and Mosby Owusu were arraigned before the Sunyani District Court B on charges including illicit trafficking of firearms, unlawful possession of firearms, and possession of military uniforms without authority. They were remanded to reappear on 15 December 2025.
However, suspects Kofi Iddrisa and Baba Kumi Foster, who are being investigated for dishonestly receiving stolen items, were granted police enquiry bail pending further probe.
DCOP Coppson appealed to the public for continued cooperation, saying efforts are underway to track down additional accomplices and retrieve more illicit weapons linked to the criminal groups.
He urged residents to provide credible information to support ongoing security operations aimed at improving safety and stability across the region.
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