Police arrest 7 suspects in connection with highway robbery involving a Council of State member

 

The police have arrested seven suspects connected with a highway robbery involving a Council of State member which occurred  last year.

The suspects have been identified as Rashida Yussif, Aaron Abaana Basrifanga, Wilson Abasong, Muntaru Iddrisu, alias Virgin, Aminu Zebrilla, alias Birdman, Inusah Sumaila, alias Agenda and Haruna Safianu.

On July 21, 2025, the victim was travelling along the Tamale Buipe highway when he was attacked by six armed men who robbed him of personal belongings including mobile phones, some cash, wrist watches, reading glasses, a laptop and other items.

On January 11, 2026 following intelligence gathered by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), a team from the anti-armed robbery was dispatched to Salaga in the Savannah Region.

This operation led to the arrest of Rashid Yussif who was found in the possession of Iphone 7 plus belonging to one of the victims, the phone has been retrieved.

Further investigation led officers to a mobile phone shop located at Dagomba line in Salaga. The shop attendant Aaron Basrifunga was arrested and he disclosed that the phone had been brought to his shop by his uncle, Wilson Abasong, an environmental officer and the shop owner who resides in Tamale.

Suspect Wilson Abasong was subsequently arrested in Tamale.

Briefing the media at the Police Headquarters in Accra on Thursday, January 29, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

During interrogation, suspect Wilson Abasong stated that he purchased the phone from a phone repairer, Muntaru Iddrissu for GHC1000. Police then arrested Muntaru Iddrisu at the Tamale Aboabo market where he led officers to arrest Haminu Zebrilla, a 35-year-old ‘Okada’ rider.

Suspect Haminu Zebrilla admitted to selling the phone to Iddrisu for GHC650. A search conducted in the room of suspect Haminu Zebrilla led to the retrieval of several items including a locally manufactured short gun, one locally manufactured pistol, four live BB cartridges, one locally manufactured sword, 2 live revolver ammunition, one face mask, one jack knife, one talisman, etc.

Further investigations revealed that suspect Haminu Zebrilla is an ex-convict who was convicted of robbery in 2012.

Two other accomplices Inusah Sumaila, 42, and Haruna Safianu, 32, were both subsequently arrested from their hideouts behind the Tamale China mall.

Police say efforts are going to arrest other accomplices and another weapon believed to be in possession of the suspects.

COP Donkor also disclosed that in a separate intelligence-led operation, five suspects linked to another robbery attack at Nkasei in the Ahafo Region were arrested on January 16, 2026.

“On a separate operation, five suspects, Muta Kofi, Mahamadu Sajoe alias Salifu, Shaibu Issah, Abdul Suleman, and Bukari Sule alias Taylor, were arrested on different days in connection with a robbery at Nkasei in the Ahafo Region.

On 2nd December 2025, the suspects, together with other accomplices armed with weapons, blocked the Goaso–Tepa road.”

The CID Director-General urged members of the public to remain vigilant, prioritise their personal safety, and avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers, as police continue efforts to clamp down on criminal activities across the country.