The Ghana Police Service has arrested a Nigerian national, Augustine Okechukwu Maazi, and killed two suspected members of a robbery gang during an operation to stop a planned bank robbery in Labone, Accra.
The police said on Thursday that officers acted on intelligence that a gang was preparing to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank branches in the Labone area.
According to a police statement, a team was deployed to the area and found members of the gang in vehicles parked near the banks. One of the vehicles sped away after the suspects noticed the police.
Officers pursued the vehicle and arrested Maazi, while another occupant escaped.
The occupants of a second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at the police. Officers returned fire, killing two suspects, while two others escaped.
“Police engaged them in a shootout, resulting in the death of two suspects,” the statement said.
Maazi remains in police custody and is assisting with the investigation, according to the police.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at a morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.
Police said they also recovered two vehicles—a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17—as well as a pistol from the suspects.
