Police say GCB, Ecobank, Zenith were targets in foiled Labone robbery
The Ghana Police Service says a robbery syndicate was planning attacks on three banks in Labone, Accra, when its personnel intercepted the suspects on Thursday (13 August), killing two and arresting another. The Police said the intended targets were branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located in Labone....
The Ghana Police Service says a robbery syndicate was planning attacks on three banks in Labone, Accra, when its personnel intercepted the suspects on Thursday (13 August), killing two and arresting another.
The Police said the intended targets were branches of GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located in Labone.
According to an update issued by the Service, it received intelligence at about 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, that the gang was preparing to attack the banks.
A police team was subsequently deployed to Labone, where the suspected robbers were spotted in two vehicles parked close to the banks.
The Police said one of the vehicles sped away after the occupants spotted the officers, prompting a chase.
The chase resulted in the arrest of one suspect, identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi. The other occupant of that vehicle, however, escaped.
The occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee while allegedly firing at the police.
The Police said its personnel engaged the suspects in a shootout, during which two of them were killed.
The Service said it 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.
Maazi is in police custody and assisting with investigations, while the bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at a morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.
The Police did not identify the two suspects who were killed.
It also did not state whether the suspects had already begun an attempt to enter or rob any of the three banks before officers intervened.
The Service commended the police response team for foiling the planned robbery and thanked members of the public for providing information on criminal activities.
The latest account adds details to the Police’s earlier confirmation of the incident, including the alleged targeting of three banks, the identity of the arrested suspect and the vehicles and weapon recovered from the scene.
Investigations are continuing.