Two suspected armed robbers have lost their lives following a shootout with the Ashanti Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service. The deceased William Opoku, alias Shangu Spirit and Long Story gave up the ghost on arrival at the Bekwai Municipal Hospital for medical attention.

The incident, occurred came after the police attempted to foil an armed robbery operation on June 16 and 17.

This information was contained in a press statement from the Regional Headquarters at Bekwai in the Ashanti South Region.

According to the statement, the group is known for snatching vehicles and violent robberies around Anwiankwanta, Ahwia and parts of Kumasi.

The statement added that, “the first operation, which took place on 16th June, 2026 at Ahwia, near Kumasi led to the arrest of the gang leader, William Opoku, alias Father Blessing. The suspect, on seeing the police, attempted to escape, but he was given a hot chase by the police, and was successfully apprehended”.

He was subjected to a thorough interrogation where he admitted to having led his gang in, and committed a number of robberies.

He revealed that they snatched a police officer's Toyota Corolla saloon car at Pankrono. They also snatched a white Toyota Corolla saloon car at Anloga Junction, Kumasi from an individual.

They also attacked a police inspector of Kumasi on 5th July, 2025 at Kronum Brokutu, during which the officer's AK47 Assault rifle and ammunition were snatched from him.

Father Blessing mentioned his accomplices as Prince, alias Killer Wooah; Sulley, alias Shangu Spirit; Bonkro; Aki and Yaw Antwi. He added that the Toyota Corolla stolen at Anwiankwanta and the snatched AK47 Assault rifle were in the custody of Sulley.

During the second operation executed on 17th June, 2026 suspects Sulley, alias Shangu Spirit, Bonkro, alias Okoronko and another, identified as Long Story, in their attempt to escape arrest sped off on a motorbike and ran into one of the arresting officers, landing him into a culvert.

The suspects executed their escape attempt amidst firing of gunshots. This was returned by the police leading to Shangu Spirit and Long Story sustaining gunshot wounds, and Okoronko managing to escape.