Five suspected armed robbers who allegedly disguised themselves as military personnel to carry out attacks on miners at Kotokuom in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have been arrested by the Nkwaie District Police Command.
The suspects, identified as Abdulai Basit Zulkalali, Seidu Sulemaina, Abubakar Sadick, Alafate Fuseini and Sharif Master Audi, were apprehended during a police operation following reports of their activities in the area.
According to police sources, the suspects were dressed in military-style uniforms and were armed with guns, knives and other offensive weapons when they allegedly targeted miners operating in and around Kotokuom.
Their arrest followed intelligence gathered by officers of the Nkwaie District Police Command, who moved swiftly to prevent further attacks and restore calm in the mining community.
In an interview with Oheneba Dankwah Jupitar Owusu after their arrest, the suspects claimed they were members of a Muslim Community Taskforce working on behalf of Ghana Muslims. However, police are investigating the authenticity of that claim as part of ongoing inquiries.
The incident has raised concerns among residents and miners in the area over the growing trend of criminal elements impersonating security personnel to carry out unlawful activities.
Police have assured the public that investigations are underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case, including the source of the military-style uniforms and weapons allegedly found in the possession of the suspects.
The five suspects are currently being held in police custody at Toase and are expected to assist investigators as efforts continue to uncover any possible links to other criminal activities in the region.
The police have also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or groups claiming to be security operatives without proper identification.
