Three men accused of robbing gold and gold concentrate near Obuasi are now in police custody after a coordinated operation by Ghana’s National Police Intelligence Directorate (PID). The arrests follow a series of armed heists across several communities close to the mining town.
The Accra Circuit Court Two has remanded Clinton Mawuli Ashirow, known as Onana, 32; Prince Duker, 33; and Nelson Gyedu, 20. They face charges of conspiracy and robbery but have not yet entered pleas. Ashirow and Gyedu were alluvial miners, while Duker worked as a mobile money vendor. They are due to appear again in court on October 12, 2026.
Chief Inspector Clement Jerry Acquah, who presented the facts in court, said the suspects were arrested at their hideouts following intelligence-led operations by teams from Accra, Ashanti North, and Dodowa PIDs. The operations targeted a string of robberies in Ayamfuri, Manso, Kushea, Mampamhwe, Kwabenakwa, Diaso, and Asokwa—all near Obuasi, a major gold mining area.
The police recovered two AK-47 assault rifles, one SMG rifle, five magazines, and one magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition. Additional items seized include another magazine loaded with 11 rounds, three empty magazines, and 316 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
One alleged accomplice, known only as “Abolo” or “Trouble,” remains at large. The police say they are making strenuous efforts to locate other members involved in the robberies.
The case sheds light on the ongoing security challenges around Ghana’s gold mining regions, where alluvial miners and others have sometimes been drawn into criminal networks. The involvement of a MoMo vendor among the accused illustrates the variety of individuals police say play a part in these operations.
Details about the specific incidents of robbery have not been disclosed publicly. The police continue their investigations as the accused await further court proceedings.
The arrests come amid ongoing efforts by security forces to clamp down on armed robbery and illegal mining activities in the Ashanti region. The recovered weapons and ammunition represent a significant haul, highlighting the level of firepower used in these crimes.
This operation marks another step in law enforcement’s crackdown on criminal groups disrupting mining communities near Obuasi. The next court date in October will be closely watched as the legal process unfolds.
According to Joy Online.
