The Police in Wa have arrested five suspects following an intelligence-led operation targeting an alleged armed robbery syndicate in the Wa Municipality and Wa West District.
One other suspect, however, died during the operation.
According to the Police, the suspects allegedly attacked victims with machetes, forced them to disclose their Mobile Money (MoMo) PINs and transferred money from their accounts.
In a statement signed by the Upper West Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Francis Yiribaare, the suspects were identified as Amadu Moro, 35; Adama Yussif, 40; Iddrissu Adama, 35; Korika Issaka, 20; and Zakaria Brigi, 21.
The deceased was identified as Nasiru Abdul Rahman, 52.
The Police said while the suspects were being transported on a motorbike to a location where a vehicle was expected to convey them to the Police Station, Abdul Rahman allegedly struggled with the rider and fell off the motorbike.
He reportedly attempted to escape but was re-arrested. At the Police Station, he complained of chest pains and was rushed to the Upper West Regional Hospital, where he died upon arrival.
His body has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Fulbe community, however, rejected the Police account and called for the investigation to be transferred to Accra, expressing readiness to cooperate with any inquiry.
The Police Command said it was prepared to cooperate with any independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
Preliminary investigations have linked Yussif, Moro and Abdul Rahman to several robbery incidents between March and August 2026.
The Police said the alleged gang robbed victims of about GH¢22,070 in cash and transferred a further GH¢3,274 through their MoMo accounts.
The development comes barely three weeks after another suspect, Abu Tijani, alias Master One, died in custody following his arrest on July 25 in connection with the Kandeu double murder investigation.
ROM NAZIRU ALHASSAN, WA
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