Police arrest Nigerian, kill two suspects in foiled Labone bank robbery

The Ghana Police Service has arrested a Nigerian national and shot dead two other suspects following a foiled robbery attempt targeting banks at Labone in Accra.

The arrested suspect, identified as Augustine Okechukwu Maazi, is currently in police custody assisting with investigations.

According to the Police, officers received intelligence at about 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday that a robbery syndicate was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located within the Labone enclave.

A police team was immediately deployed to the area, where the suspected robbers were spotted in two vehicles parked near the banks.

The Police said one of the vehicles sped away after the occupants noticed the presence of the officers. A pursuit followed, resulting in the arrest of Maazi, while the other occupant managed to escape.

The occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee and allegedly opened fire at the pursuing officers. The Police returned fire, leading to a shootout in which two of the suspects were killed.

The Police recovered two vehicles from 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 from the scene.

The bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.

The Police said investigations are continuing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices and establish the full circumstances surrounding the planned robbery.

The Service assured the public of its commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting financial institutions across the country.