The Savannah Regional Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old man in connection with the robbery of GHS 430,000 from two Mobile Money vendors at the Buipe Cattle Market. This significant financial crime occurred on June 29, 2026, marking a serious blow to local commerce and financial security.
Four armed men carried out the robbery, firing multiple shots before escaping with the substantial sum. The incident directly impacts the livelihoods of small business operators and the trust in digital financial services in the region. Mobile Money services are crucial for economic activity in rural and semi-urban areas, facilitating transactions and remittances for many Ghanaians.
This event highlights ongoing security challenges affecting economic stability in Ghana's northern regions. Robberies targeting Mobile Money operators have become a recurring concern, often disrupting local economies and deterring investment. The large sum involved, GHS 430,000, represents a substantial amount for local businesses and individuals, underscoring the severity of the crime. Such incidents can erode confidence in the financial ecosystem, particularly among vulnerable populations who rely heavily on these services.
According to police reports, the robbers were armed with sophisticated weapons, including two pump-action guns, a single-barrel gun, and an AK-47 rifle. This level of armament suggests a well-organised criminal operation. The Inspector-General of Police responded by deploying the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit to assist the Savannah Regional Command with investigations, demonstrating the high priority placed on resolving this case.
Following weeks of intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, the Anti-Armed Robbery Unit, alongside the Police Intelligence Directorate and the Kintampo Divisional Police Command, successfully apprehended suspect Yacouba Oumar. The arrest took place at Soronuase in the Bono East Region on July 23. This coordinated effort across multiple police units underscores the commitment to tackling serious crime.
During interrogation, Yacouba Oumar reportedly admitted his involvement in the robbery. He also named three alleged accomplices: Yakubu Seidu, known as Baba; Abdulai Aziz Yahaya, alias Addo; and Abduli Buipe, also known as Addo. Oumar further claimed that a cattle trader at the Buipe market, identified as Alhaji Yacouba, also known as Masaji, Muimen, or Yakubu, had contracted the group to commit the robbery. This revelation points to a potential mastermind behind the operation.
Police investigations subsequently led officers to various locations, including Atebubu, Soronuase, Agogo, and Dawadawa, in search of other gang members and weapons. During one operation, an exchange of gunfire occurred, resulting in the deaths of Yakubu Seidu, Abdulai Aziz Yahaya, and Oumaro Amadu. Their bodies have been moved to the morgue for preservation and autopsy. Police also recovered a pump-action gun with five live BB cartridges and a single-barrel gun, believed to have been used in the robbery. These recoveries are crucial for forensic analysis and evidence building.
Yacouba Oumar remains in police custody, actively assisting with ongoing investigations. Authorities are making concerted efforts to apprehend Alhaji Yacouba and any other individuals linked to the case. The successful apprehension of one suspect and the neutralisation of others sends a strong message to criminal elements. However, the pursuit of the alleged mastermind is critical for a complete resolution. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by the public and the financial sector, as it could influence perceptions of security for Mobile Money operations and broader economic activities in Ghana.