How community watchdog group helped Police 'cobra team' arrest seven suspects for robberies in Zebilla, Garu and Binduri

The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested seven suspected armed robbers allegedly linked to a series of robbery incidents in Zebilla, Garu and Binduri.

The suspects are Issaka Iddrisu, 20; Ali Tamimu, 21; Akugre Amobila, 26; Banabas Apiiga, 41; Abdul-Rashid Adamu, 38; Apiiga Alebena, 21; and Bilal Adabodee, 31.

Their arrest followed an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID), the newly established Black Cobra Unit and the Zebilla Community Watchdogs.

Police said preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to a wider network of gangs allegedly involved in supplying weapons for robbery operations in the three areas.

Investigators said the suspects admitted belonging to the network and disclosed that weapons used in their operations were allegedly obtained from a source in Bawku.

The investigation was further supported by reports from two victims who identified two of the suspects as members of a three-man gang that allegedly robbed them at gunpoint of two Yamaha scooter motorbikes valued at GH¢30,000 and GH¢32,000 respectively.

The victims told the Police that the alleged robbers threatened to kill them if they reported the incident.

According to the Police, the suspects subsequently admitted their involvement in the robbery and allegedly told investigators that the firearm used had been supplied by a person in Bawku, who also reportedly served as a location for keeping the firearms.

A search of the homes of three of the suspects — Abdul-Rashid Adamu, Apiiga Alebena and Bilal Adabode — resulted in the recovery of two unregistered motorbikes, quantities of suspected hard drugs and GH¢29,550 in cash.

The Police said the items and money recovered were suspected to be connected to criminal activities.

The seven suspects have been remanded into Police custody by the Bolgatanga Circuit Court and are scheduled to reappear on September 23, 2026.

Meanwhile, the Police said investigations were continuing to identify and arrest the alleged supplier of weapons believed to be operating and hiding in Bawku.