Police Arrest Five Over Robbery and Rape Attacks at Juaso

The Ghana Police Service has arrested five members of a gang suspected to be behind a series of robbery and rape attacks targeting young females in Juaso and its surrounding areas in the Ashanti South Region.

According to police, the suspects allegedly specialised in luring young women—mostly students—into a private vehicle under the guise of offering them a lift, only to rob and sexually assault them.

Initial operations led to the arrest of twelve individuals. However, following preliminary investigations, seven were found not to be directly linked to the crimes and were subsequently granted bail. The remaining five suspects have been identified as David Adusah, also known as “Viber,” 19; Samuel Amantor, alias “Road,” 21; Andrew Odei, alias “Salinco,” 21; Sharif Mohammed, alias “Isco,” 18; and Joseph Addo Ofori, alias “Moves,” 22.

The suspects were arraigned before the Konongo District Court on January 8, 2026, on provisional charges of conspiracy, robbery, and rape. They have been remanded into custody and are expected to reappear in court on January 28, 2026.

Police investigations revealed that the gang’s modus operandi involved picking up unsuspecting victims, driving them to isolated hideouts along the Morso Road, robbing them of their belongings, and in some cases sexually assaulting them before abandoning them by the roadside or in nearby bushes.

Authorities cited several alleged incidents linked to the gang. On August 15, 2025, the suspects are said to have picked up three female students attending remedial classes at Kurofa Senior High School and robbed them of their mobile phones after threatening them. On October 6, 2025, two ladies were allegedly lured into the vehicle under false pretences, robbed, and one of them assaulted. Similar attacks were reported on November 10, 2025, and January 2, 2026, involving lone female victims.

The suspects were eventually arrested at New Abirem in the Eastern Region following collaboration between the Juaso Police and the Abirem Police Command.

Briefing journalists, the Ashanti South Regional Police Commander, DCOP Joseph Nyaaba, disclosed that a search of the suspects’ room led to the discovery of a military camouflage uniform, a photograph of the alleged gang leader in military attire, 49 mobile phone covers, and a bayonet case. A Toyota RAV4 vehicle believed to have been used in some of the crimes was also retrieved and impounded.

Police say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to ensure justice for the victims and to enhance public safety.