Police retrieve weapons after follow-up operation in Upper East; Three suspects die
Story by: Regina Bless
The Upper East Regional Police Command has retrieved weapons, motorbikes and other items following a follow-up operation linked to the dismantling of a suspected robbery gang operating across parts of the region.
The gang has been linked to a series of robbery attacks targeting motorbike riders and mobile money vendors in Benaba, Binduri, Pusiga, Garu, Zebilla and surrounding communities.
According to the Police, a team accompanied some of the suspects to a location within the Tilly Forest after the suspects indicated that firearms belonging to the gang had been concealed there.
During the operation, the Police team came under gunfire. Three suspects—Amadu Apiiga, 33; Philip Vokbilla; and Bilal Adabode, alias Sulley, who had led the team to the location—sustained gunshot injuries.
The three were subsequently conveyed to hospital but were pronounced dead on arrival. The Police also reported that other individuals believed to have sustained gunshot wounds fled the scene.
Two police officers were injured during the operation and are currently receiving medical attention.
The suspects have also been linked to the killing of a police officer during a robbery incident at Zebilla on February 8, 2026.
Items retrieved during the operations include two locally manufactured single-barrel guns, two pistols—including a BRUNI 92 pistol with eleven 9mm rounds of ammunition—18 BB live cartridges, three cutlasses, four unregistered Yamaha Aerox scooters, a pair of black boots, a motorbike number plate and two mobile phones.
The Police have urged members of the public to report anyone found with gunshot wounds to the nearest police station to assist ongoing investigations.
The six other members of the gang who were earlier arrested remain in custody and are assisting with investigations.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected members of the group and trace the source of the weapons recovered.