Police narrates how syndicate planned robbery attacks on GCB, Ecobank, Zenith
The Ghana Police Service has clarified that Thursday’s security operation at Labone in Accra was carried out to foil a planned robbery targeting three banks in the area.
According to the Police, a suspected robbery syndicate was preparing to attack the Labone branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank when officers moved in to disrupt the operation.
The clarification follows an earlier statement from the Police indicating that an attempted robbery at the GCB Bank Labone branch had been foiled, with two suspects shot dead and another arrested.
GCB Bank subsequently disputed that account, stating that no robbery or attempted robbery had occurred at its Labone branch. The bank said its premises had not been breached and that no customer, employee, funds or property was affected.
In an updated statement issued on Thursday, August 13, the Police said it received intelligence at about 10:45 a.m. that a gang was preparing to attack the three banks.
A police team was subsequently deployed to the Labone area, where officers spotted the suspects in two vehicles parked near the banks.
The Police said one of the vehicles sped off after the occupants noticed the presence of the officers. The vehicle was pursued, leading to the arrest of one suspect, identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi, while another occupant managed to escape.
The occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee and allegedly opened fire on the pursuing officers, resulting in a shootout.
“Police engaged them in a shoot out resulting in the death of two suspects,” the Police said.
Two vehicles were recovered during the operation — a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson registered GS-7915-17. A blow pistol was also retrieved.