The Ghana Police Service has seven individuals in their grip over a highway robbery incident that took place last year on the Tamale–Buipe highway, during which a member of the Council of State was assaulted.

The suspects, identified as Rashida Yussif, Aaron Abaana, Wilson Abasong, Muntaru Iddrisu, Aminu Zibrilla, Innusa Sumaila and Haruna Safianu, were arrested on January 11, 2026, after weeks of sustained investigations.

Addressing the media at the Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, January 29, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, disclosed that inquiries into the case are still ongoing.

She recounted that the incident occurred on July 21, 2025, when the victim was travelling on the Tamale–Buipe highway and was attacked by six armed men who fled with several personal items, including mobile phones, cash, wristwatches, reading glasses, laptops and other valuables.

“The arrests form part of intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling highway robbery networks across the country,” COP Donkor said.

She also revealed that a separate police operation led to the arrest of five suspects linked to another robbery incident at Nkasei in the Ahafo Region.

According to her, the suspects — Muta Kofi, Mahamadu Sajoe, alias Salifu, Shaibu Issah, Abdul Suleman and Bukari Sule, alias Taylor — were picked up on different dates following investigations into a robbery that occurred on December 2, 2025.

She explained that the suspects, together with other accomplices, allegedly mounted a blockade on the Goaso–Tepa road while armed and launched attacks on unsuspecting motorists.

COP Donkor added that investigations into both robbery cases are still underway as police efforts continue to recover stolen property and track down additional suspects.

She further appealed to the public to stay alert, place a premium on personal safety when travelling, and refrain from sharing sensitive information with strangers, as police intensify nationwide operations to combat criminal activity.

Last year, the government intensified security efforts along the Walewale-Bolgatanga Highway by deploying military personnel and drones to curb rising attacks on passenger buses.

Minister for the Interior, Mr. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, made this known in Parliament on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, while responding to concerns raised by the Member of Parliament for Walewale regarding escalating robberies and vehicle burnings in the North East Region.

According to Mr. Muntaka Mubarak, although Walewale has seen a steady decline in armed robbery cases—from 30 incidents in 2022 to 18 in 2024—the attacks targeting passenger buses remain a pressing concern.

He linked the recent surge in highway violence to the ongoing Bawku chieftaincy conflict, explaining that the unrest was spilling over into surrounding areas and contributing to insecurity along the route.

To address the situation, the government imposed a curfew on Walewale and its environs on February 15, 2025, while also reinforcing security operations in the area.

In addition to the military deployment, extra police officers have been dispatched from Tamale to support the Walewale District Command. The government has also increased logistical support, including the provision of more patrol vehicles.

Furthermore, three police bases have been established in Walewale, Janga, and Gombiliga, each manned by 30 officers to enhance security patrols. To protect traders, police escorts have been introduced for market women traveling to and from Walewale’s markets.

Despite these interventions, Mr. Muntaka Mubarak acknowledged that no arrests were made in connection with this year’s robbery incidents. He noted that tracking suspects had been challenging due to the widespread use of motorbikes in the area but remained optimistic about the impact of the new surveillance measures.

“I will continue engaging the police, and with drone surveillance now in place, I believe we will see improvements. But as of now, I have no information on arrests,” he said.

Authorities remain hopeful that these enhanced security measures will restore safety along the highway and deter further attacks.

The Ghana Police Service announced its readiness to face any criminal network and criminal activities with rigour after the boost that comes with the government handing over forty armoured vehicles.

President Mahama handed over the vehicles yesterday, Thursday, December 4, in a handing-over ceremony held at the Ghana Police Headquarters in Accra, and in response to this, the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, in an acceptance speech, sent a word of caution to all who seek to disrupt national security and peace that his outfit will relentlessly pursue and apprehend anyone involved in criminal activities.

“Let me use this opportunity to send a strong word of caution to persons who have decided to threaten the security of this country: we are coming for you. You can run all you want and hide wherever you wish, but we will surely get you,” taunting the police service’s achievements so far under his leadership.

“We have made several breakthroughs. In addition to numerous robbery attempts that have been foiled through sustained intelligence operations, we have successfully arrested suspects who operated under the illusion that they could get away with crime. These include the suspect behind the rural bank robberies, the robbery of the Radiance Filling Station, the robbery at Enfasatia, attacks on mobile vendors, the Wire and Bullet serial murders, vehicle theft syndicates, and perpetrators behind fake online food-delivery platforms,” he mentioned.