Nigerian Man Arrested As Ghana Police Foil Planned Bank Robbery, Kill Two Suspected Gang Members in Accra

The Ghana Police Service has foiled an alleged plot to rob three banks in Labone, Accra, arresting a Nigerian national and killing two suspected members of the gang during a shootout.

The arrested suspect has been identified as Augustine Okechukwu Maazi.

In a statement, the police said the operation followed intelligence indicating that a group of suspected robbers was planning to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located in the Labone area.

Acting on the information, a police team was deployed to the area, where officers reportedly spotted the suspects in vehicles parked close to the banks.

According to the police, one of the vehicles sped away after its occupants noticed the presence of the officers. The officers gave chase and eventually arrested Maazi as he and other occupants attempted to flee. One of the suspects in the vehicle, however, managed to escape.

The occupants of a second vehicle also allegedly tried to evade arrest, opening fire at the pursuing officers. The police responded, leading to a shootout in which two suspected members of the gang were killed.

Two other suspects reportedly escaped during the exchange of gunfire.

The police said Maazi remains in custody and is assisting with investigations into the alleged robbery plot.

The bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at a morgue pending identification and autopsy.

Two vehicles allegedly used by the suspects were also recovered. They were a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17.

The police also said a blow pistol was recovered during the operation.

The Ghana Police Service said the swift intervention prevented the suspected gang from carrying out the planned attacks on the three banks in Labone.