Two suspects killed, Nigerian arrested as Ghana police thwart bank robbery

A Nigerian national, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, has been arrested  by the Ghana Police Service following the disruption of an alleged plan to attack three commercial banks in Accra.

The operation, carried out on Thursday in the Labone area of the Ghanaian capital, followed intelligence reports indicating that a group of armed suspects was preparing to strike branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank.

According to the police, security operatives were dispatched to the area at about 10:45 a.m. after receiving information about the planned robbery.

On arrival, officers reportedly spotted individuals believed to be members of the gang inside vehicles positioned close to the targeted banks.

The suspects allegedly attempted to flee immediately they noticed the presence of security personnel.

Police said one of the vehicles sped away, prompting a pursuit that led to the arrest of Maazi. Another occupant of the vehicle, however, escaped.

“Upon sighting the police, one of the vehicles sped off in an attempt to escape. The police gave them a chase and arrested one suspect, Augustine Okechuku Maazi. The other occupant however managed to escape,” the Ghana Police Service stated.

Authorities disclosed that occupants of a second vehicle allegedly opened fire while trying to evade arrest, resulting in an exchange of gunfire with police officers.

Two suspects were killed during the confrontation, while others managed to escape.

During the operation, officers recovered a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18, a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17, and a blow pistol.

The Ghana Police Service said Maazi remains in custody and is assisting investigators. It added that the bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited in a morgue pending identification and autopsy as investigations continue.