Seven suspected armed robbers arrested over attacks in Zebilla, Garu and Binduri

The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested seven suspected armed robbers over alleged robbery activities in Zebilla, Garu and Binduri. According to a press statement issued on Thursday, September, the suspects have been identified as Issaka Iddrisu, 20; Ali Tamimu, 21; Akugre Amobila, 26; Banabas Apiiga, 41; Abdul-Rashid Adamu, 38; Apiiga Alebena, 21; and Bilal Adabodee, 31. According to the Police, the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation involving the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), the newly established Black Cobra Unit and the Zebilla Community Watchdogs.

The Command said preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are allegedly part of a wider network of criminal gangs that supplies weapons for robbery operations in the three communities. Two victims subsequently reported to the Police and identified two of the suspects as members of a three-man gang who allegedly robbed them at gunpoint of two Yamaha scooter motorbikes valued at GH¢30,000 and GH¢32,000, respectively. The victims also told investigators that the robbers threatened to kill them if they reported the incident to the Police.

The suspects reportedly admitted to the robbery and told investigators that the weapon used in the operation was supplied by an individual in Bawku, who allegedly serves as their source of weapons and provides safe-keeping facilities. A search of the homes of three of the suspects, Abdul-Rashid Adamu, Apiiga Alebena and Bilal Adabode, reportedly led to the recovery of two unregistered motorbikes, quantities of suspected hard drugs and GH¢29,550 in cash, believed by investigators to be proceeds from criminal activities. The seven suspects have since been remanded into Police custody by the Bolgatanga Circuit Court and are expected to reappear on September 23, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Police say efforts have been intensified to identify and arrest the alleged weapons supplier as investigations into the suspected robbery network continue. The arrests were made through an intelligence-led operation involving the Police Intelligence Department (PID), the newly formed Black Cobra Unit and the Zebilla Community Watchdogs. The suspects have been identified as Issaka Iddrisu, 20; Ali Tamimu, 21; Akugre Amobila, 26; Banabas Apiiga, 41; Abdul-Rashid Adamu, 38; Apiiga Alebena, 21; and Bilal Adabodee, 31.

According to the Upper East Regional Police Command, the suspects have confessed to belonging to a wider network of robbery gangs that allegedly supply them with weapons for their operations in Zebilla, Garu and Binduri. Following their arrest, two victims reported the incidents to the police and identified two of the suspects as members of a three-man gang that allegedly robbed them at gunpoint. The victims told police that two Yamaha scooter motorbikes, valued at GH¢30,000 and GH¢32,000 respectively, were taken during the robbery.

The victims were also allegedly threatened with death if they reported the incident to the police. The two identified suspects subsequently admitted to robbing the victims at gunpoint, according to the police. The suspects further told investigators that the weapon used in the operation had been supplied by an individual in Bawku, who they said serves as their source for weapons and provides a place for their safekeeping.