Ghana police vow to crush car-jacking gangs after ‘Duku’ arrests

Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohonu, says the service will intensify operations against organised criminal gangs, with a particular focus on violent vehicle theft rings.

Speaking in Kumasi after a major operation by the Ashanti Regional Police Command, the Inspector General of Police said sustained surveillance, technical intelligence and targeted raids would be used to break up car-jacking syndicates and bring suspects to court.

His comments followed the arrest of four alleged members of a group police describe as the “Duku syndicate”, which investigators say has been operating across parts of the country.

Police say the arrests were made during operations on 18 and 22 February 2026, and that the suspects are linked to the killing of Andrews Amankwaah at Ohwim Amanfrom, near Kumasi, on 10 February 2026.

Officers said the alleged ringleader, Eric Antwi Duku, was shot during the raids and later died after being taken to a health facility.

The police said four other suspects, identified as Akwasi Manu, Bashiru Tanko, Kwadwo Amponsah and Emmanuel Kwame Appea, were tracked down and arrested from different locations including Atonsu, Hwereso near Boankra, and Danyame, close to the military barracks.

Investigators allege the group targeted pick-up trucks and Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles, with a preference for black and ash-coloured models, and moved them through a network of contacts for onward sale.

Police also claim the syndicate relied on assistance to produce forged vehicle documents, alleging links to intermediaries at the DVLA. They further allege the group had contacts in Offinso, as well as connections outside Ghana, including in Dubai.

Mr Yohonu said the suspects had been on the radar of police in the Western and Central corridor, with links being investigated to similar robberies in Tarkwa, Kumasi and other areas in Ashanti.

He said the gang’s method involved tailing selected targets until a moment to strike, and that firearms were used when drivers resisted.

Police believe the group had been preparing to leave Kumasi on Monday, 23 February 2026, for another operation in Tarkwa, when officers moved in.

The IGP offered condolences to the family of Mr Amankwaah and praised officers involved in the arrests, as well as members of the public who provided information.

The Ashanti Regional Police Commander, DCOP Osei Akoto Arthur, said officers recovered a Bruni Mod 84 pistol, eight rounds of live ammunition, a tracking detection device, suspected forged vehicle documents and a Toyota Corolla S said to belong to the deceased suspect.

He said the items are undergoing forensic and ballistic examination as part of wider investigations into other reported attacks.