Police Arrest Suspected Killers of Sammy Gyamfi’s in-law
By: Isaac Darko Boamah
A coordinated intelligence-led sweep in Kumasi has netted several suspects believed to be part of a violent carjacking ring blamed for the February killing of the father-in-law of GOLDBOD CEO Sammy Gyamfi, police announced Monday.
The victim, 68-year-old Andrews Amankwaa Karikari, was shot during an attack at his Ohwim Amanfrom home on February 10 and later died from his wounds on February 18. Police say his Toyota Hilux, registration GN 647–25, was stolen in that incident.
Ashanti Regional Police Commander Arthur Osei-Akoto said the Inspector‑General of Police ordered a multi-unit operation that brought together the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate, the Cyber Vetting and Enforcement Team and the CID Anti‑Robbery Unit. “Sustained surveillance, technical intelligence and targeted operations” led to the arrests, he told reporters.
Between February 18 and 22, four principal suspects linked to what investigators are calling the “Tukum Syndicate” were picked up in separate actions across Kumasi and surrounding areas. One of those arrested was later shot during an operation and died in hospital, the commander said.
The investigation’s first break came on February 18 with the arrest of a 47‑year‑old farmer, identified as Akwesembenu, who was found in possession of the deceased man’s Samsung mobile phone. Police described that seizure as pivotal in connecting the suspects to the Ohwim Amanfrom robbery.
Subsequent arrests included 33‑year‑old Bashiri Tanko, known as “Tiki,” taken into custody at Atonsu on February 19. Authorities say Bashiri has links to car smuggling networks operating in Tarkwa and around the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Intelligence, the commander added, suggests he was excluded from the most recent deadly operation over an internal financial dispute.
On February 21 officers arrested 35‑year‑old Kwejo Amponsa, aka “Kamakazi,” at Hwereso near Boankra. Interrogation of Amponsa reportedly provided evidence tying the group to a string of violent robberies involving Toyota Hilux pickups in Kumasi. Then, in a late‑night confrontation on February 22, the suspected ringleader, 42‑year‑old Eric Njiduku, was shot and later died at hospital. Items recovered from him included a Bruni Mod 84 pistol with eight live rounds, a tracking/detection device, four vehicle documents and a Toyota Corolla S; the firearm is now undergoing forensic and ballistic tests.
Also arrested that night, at about 11:30 p.m., was 38‑year‑old Emmanuel Kwame Apiah, known as “Taller,” in Denyame. Police say he acted as the syndicate’s driver in the fatal Ohwim Amanfrom robbery. Preliminary findings link the group to the February 10 attack and to another deadly robbery at Kronum, where a Toyota Hilux belonging to the Ghana National Association of Teachers was stolen and a second victim was killed.
Commander Osei‑Akoto described the Tukum Syndicate as specializing in targeting Toyota Hilux vehicles, conducting pre‑surveillance on victims and increasingly resorting to lethal force to effect thefts. He added that some members had long been on the wanted list of the Central Regional Police Command, evading arrest during previous attempts.
The arrested suspects have reportedly admitted involvement in multiple robberies across Tarkwa and Kumasi and provided intelligence on routes used to move stolen vehicles toward the Northern Border Corridor. They remain in police custody and will be arraigned in court in the coming days, the Regional Commander said, reaffirming the Service’s resolve to dismantle violent criminal networks operating in the Ashanti Region and beyond.