The Ghana Police Service has arrested a Nigerian, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, and killed two suspected members of a robbery gang during an intelligence-led operation in Accra.
The police said the operation on Thursday foiled an alleged plan to attack GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank branches in the Labone area of the Ghanaian capital.
According to the police, they received intelligence about the suspected robbery at about 10:45 a.m. and immediately deployed officers to the area.
The Service said officers found suspected gang members in vehicles parked near the banks. One of the vehicles reportedly sped away after the suspects noticed the police, but officers pursued and arrested Maazi, while another occupant escaped.
The police said occupants of a second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at officers, leading to a shootout in which two suspects were killed. A fourth suspect reportedly escaped and is being sought by the police.
The police recovered two vehicles allegedly linked to the suspects, a Toyota Highlander and a Hyundai Tucson, as well as a blow pistol.
Maazi remains in police custody and is assisting investigators, while the bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at a morgue for identification and autopsy.
However, GCB Bank denied that its Labone branch was robbed or that an attempted robbery took place on its premises.
The bank said neither its operations nor premises were breached and that no customer, employee, funds or property was affected.
