A suspected member of a notorious highway robbery gang operating along the Atebubu–Yeji road has been shot dead during a police operation in the Atebubu Municipality of the Bono East Region.

The suspect, identified as Mahamadu Gariba Kirror, was arrested on January 29, 2026, at about 10:30 a.m. following intelligence-led operations.

A search conducted on him led to the retrieval of a locally manufactured pistol, two live BB cartridges, a Samsung Galaxy A07 mobile phone, two keypad mobile phones, and a talisman.

Police investigations later established that the Samsung Galaxy A07 belonged to Nafisa Owusu Haruna, a resident of Yeji, who was among the passengers attacked by an armed robbery gang on the Atebubu–Yeji highway on January 29.

During the robbery, a mini-van with registration number AS-6444-14 was ambushed, and both the driver and a passenger were shot.

Nafisa Owusu Haruna later died from her injuries.

During interrogation, police say the suspect admitted that he and his accomplices shot and killed the driver and successfully robbed passengers on board the vehicle.

He reportedly mentioned Umaru, Issifu, Furgur, Ibrahim, Shaibu, and Yelow as members of the gang.

On February 1, 2026, at about 7:45 p.m., the suspect led a police team to a bush in the Atebubu Municipality to help arrest his accomplices.

However, upon nearing the hideout, police said Kirror suddenly attempted to flee into a nearby forest.

Officers fired warning shots in an attempt to immobilise him, during which he sustained gunshot injuries.

He was rushed to the Atebubu Government Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary pending autopsy.

Meanwhile, police say the Samsung Galaxy A07 has been positively identified by Nadia Haruna, a resident of Yeji, as her phone, which was stolen during the robbery.

Police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects named by the deceased suspect.