The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Donkor, has urged members of the public and business community to promptly engage the police when handling high-risk transactions such as transporting valuables—including gold—across the country.
Her advice follows the successful prevention of a planned robbery involving a gold consignment valued at over GHC 1.3 million, which resulted in the arrest of three suspects.
“We are urging individuals and businesses engaged in transactions involving valuables like gold or large sums of money to contact the police in whichever locality they find themselves,” DCOP Donkor said at a press briefing in Accra.
“Do not assume you can move safely without assistance. The police are here to help prevent crimes like this.”
According to DCOP Donkor, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the Special Support Unit (SSU) of the Police Service launched an intelligence-led operation after receiving credible information about a planned robbery targeting a consultant with a legally registered mining company.
Investigations revealed that the suspects, including the target’s driver and a man posing as his bodyguard, had conspired to rob Mr. Rashid, the consultant, during a scheduled delivery of gold on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
As the suspects moved ahead with their plans along the Accra–Akuapem–Manfe road, police surveillance teams monitored their movements.
One suspect, who was with the intended victim, alerted the others to switch routes—from the originally planned Koforidua–Nsawam road to the Koforidua–Aburi stretch.
Two suspects, Adams Zibo and Massawud Yussif, were seen driving an unregistered blue Hyundai along the Manfe–Koforidua road, while two motorbikes trailed a Toyota Land Cruiser transporting the victim and the gold consignment.
At a point near Akuapem–Manfe, the police moved in and arrested suspect Kenneth Khartey, who was trailing the gold vehicle. Mr. Rashid and his driver were rescued safely, and the gold—approximately 1.2kg in weight and valued at GHC 1,350,343.53—was retrieved.
Later the same day, Zibo and Yussif were arrested at East Legon, Accra.
DCOP Donkor revealed that the three had conspired about a month earlier and secured logistics, including cash to procure AK-47 rifles, motorbikes, and a getaway vehicle. One suspect was reportedly tasked with selling the stolen gold after the heist.
During investigations, Zibo and Yussif clarified that a fourth man, Addu Gyawu, was not involved in the plan. He has since been granted bail.
The three remaining suspects remain in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations.
The CID says they will be arraigned before court in due course.
“I commend our officers for their vigilance and professionalism in executing this operation,” DCOP Donkor said.
“This success reflects our resolve to prevent violent crime and protect citizens and their property.”
