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The Ghana Police Service say they have arrested a Nigerian identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi and killed two other suspected members of a robbery gang during an intelligence-led operation in Accra.
The police said the operation, which took place on Thursday, foiled an alleged plan by a robbery syndicate to attack banks in the Labone area of Accra.
According to a statement by the Police Service, it received intelligence at about 10:45am that the gang was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in the area.
A response team was subsequently deployed to Labone, where officers reportedly found members of the suspected gang in vehicles parked close to the banks.
The police said one of the vehicles sped away after the suspects noticed the officers, prompting the operatives to give chase. Maazi was eventually arrested, while another occupant of the vehicle escaped.
According to the police, occupants of a second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at the officers.
“The robbers in the second vehicle also tried to escape amidst firing, but the police engaged them in a shootout, resulting in the death of two suspects,” the Police Service stated.
The police added that a fourth suspect escaped during the operation and that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend him.
Following the operation, the police said two vehicles allegedly linked to the suspects were recovered. They included a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17.
A blow pistol was also reportedly recovered.
The Police Service said Maazi remained in custody and was assisting investigators with the ongoing investigation.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects, it added, had been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.
The police urged members of the public to continue providing credible information about suspected criminal activities to security authorities.
However, GCB Bank has denied that its Labone branch was robbed or that an attempted robbery occurred on its premises.
In a statement issued following the police announcement, the bank said neither its premises nor its operations were breached during the incident.
GCB said no customer, employee, funds or property belonging to the bank was affected.
The police have not disclosed whether the alleged plot involved an attempt to enter any of the banks or target customers and other persons in the surrounding area.
