The Tema Regional Police Command has shot and killed four suspected members of a notorious armed robbery gang during an operation at Afienya-Mataheko in the early hours of Monday, December 29, 2025.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dede Dzakpasu, Head of Public Affairs of the Command, told the media that the suspects were part of a 15-member gang that had carried out a series of armed robberies within the Tema Metropolis and its environs over the years.
She explained that sustained intelligence-led operations had earlier led to the arrest of some members of the gang, with some currently on remand, others on court bail, while several remained at large.
According to ASP Dzakpasu, on Friday, December 27, 2025, the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) of the Tema Region received credible intelligence that a group of ex-convicts was planning fresh robbery attacks in the area.
Police officers were consequently deployed on surveillance, and at about 0100 hours on Monday, December 29, the suspects were spotted attempting to break into a residential premises at Afienya-Mataheko.
“When the police moved in, the suspects opened fire, resulting in a violent exchange of gunfire,” she said.
Four of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter. Three of them, identified as Kwabena Azuwebi, alias Lastman, Yaro Bawku, and Faisal, were rushed to the Police Hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival.
The fourth suspect, Kassim Hussein, initially escaped with gunshot wounds but was later recaptured after he was lured into revealing his hideout.
ASP Dzakpasu said that during interrogation, Hussein disclosed the gang’s modus operandi and the identities of other members.
He was also taken to hospital for treatment but later died while receiving medical care.
Police recovered one AK-47 rifle, one Taurus pistol loaded with six rounds of ammunition, two cutlasses, and two Royal motorbikes—one unregistered and the other bearing registration number M-25-GT-4243—allegedly used by the suspects.
The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Police Hospital Mortuary pending autopsy, while investigations continue to identify accomplices and establish links to other criminal activities.
ASP Dzakpasu noted that all four deceased suspects had been on the police wanted list for their involvement in several robbery cases in the region, adding that Kwabena Azuwebi had recently been granted court bail after a long period on remand in a robbery case.
She commended the officers involved in the operation on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Barnabas Nasumong, Tema Regional Commander, for their courage, professionalism, and dedication.
The Command also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for his leadership and support during the operation.
The Tema Regional Police Command assured residents of Tema and surrounding communities of its continued commitment to maintaining law and order and urged the public to support the police with timely and credible information.
It further warned criminal elements that crime does not pay and that the police would relentlessly pursue offenders until they are brought to justice.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo / Lydia Kukua Asamoah
30 December 2025
