In a significant breakthrough, police at Juaso under the Ashanti South Regional Command have apprehended a gang responsible for a series of heinous crimes targeting young females in the region. The gang's criminal activities, which involved robbery and sexual assault, have been a cause of grave concern for residents, especially students and young ladies.
The group, allegedly specialized in luring victims into their vehicle under false pretenses, carried out their operations with alarming precision. Victims were often robbed of their belongings and subjected to sexual assault before being abandoned in remote areas.
Arrests and Preliminary Investigations
Initially, twelve individuals were arrested in connection with the crimes. However, after thorough preliminary investigations, seven suspects were deemed uninvolved and subsequently released on bail. The remaining five suspects, identified as David Adusah alias “Viber” (19), Samuel Amantor alias “Road” (21), Andrew Odei alias “Salinco” (21), Sharif Mohammed alias “Isco” (18), and Joseph Addo Ofori alias “Moves” (22), were formally charged with conspiracy, robbery, and rape.
On January 8, 2026, the suspects appeared before the Konongo District Court on provisional charges and were remanded into custody. They are scheduled to reappear before the court on January 28, 2026.
Modus Operandi of the Gang
According to police investigations, the gang's strategy was to lure unsuspecting victims into a private vehicle by offering them a lift under false pretenses. Once inside the vehicle, victims were driven to secluded hideouts along the Morso Road, where they were robbed of their belongings and subjected to sexual assault.
Details of specific incidents have emerged during investigations:
1. August 15, 2025: The gang targeted three young ladies attending remedial classes at Kurofa Senior High School. The suspects picked them up near the school at approximately 8:00 p.m., drove them to a remote area near Juaso, and robbed them of their mobile phones.
2. October 6, 2025: Two women were lured into the gang’s vehicle under the guise of romantic interest. They were driven to Morso, robbed of their phones, and one of them was raped.
3. November 10, 2025: A woman walking by the roadside was offered a lift by the gang. Upon entering the vehicle, she became suspicious and attempted to leave. However, she was forced back into the car at knifepoint, driven to Morso, robbed of her phone, and raped.
4. January 2, 2026: Another female victim was reportedly lured into the gang’s vehicle at Abrepo Junction in Kumasi. She was driven to Morso and robbed of her phone but was spared sexual assault due to her menstrual cycle.
Collaborative Efforts Lead to Arrest
The gang’s arrest was made possible through coordinated efforts between police at Juaso and their counterparts from the Abirem Police Command in the Eastern Region. The suspects were apprehended at New Abirem following an intensive investigation.
During a search conducted at the suspects’ residence, police uncovered incriminating evidence including a military camouflage uniform, a photograph of the gang leader—David Adusah—in military attire, 49 mobile phone covers, and a bayonet case. Additionally, a Toyota RAV4 vehicle believed to have been used in several operations was seized by authorities.
Police Statement
Addressing journalists on this matter, DCOP Joseph Nyaaba, Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, expressed concern over the gang's criminal activities and assured the public of the police’s commitment to ensuring justice is served. He emphasized that law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to maintain security and prevent similar incidents in the region.
The arrest of these suspects marks a significant step in curbing crime in Ashanti South. The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly to aid in preventing such incidents in the future.
As investigations continue, authorities remain dedicated to ensuring that all perpetrators are brought to justice and that victims receive adequate support. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community collaboration with law enforcement in combating crime effectively.
-By Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
