Police say Labone operation foiled planned robbery attacks on three banks
According to the Police, the suspected robbery syndicate was preparing to target GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located within the Labone enclave.
The Ghana Police Service says Thursday’s security operation at Labone in Accra was not limited to one bank, but involved intelligence about a planned robbery attack on three banks in the area.
According to the Police, the suspected robbery syndicate was preparing to target GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank, all located within the Labone enclave.
The clarification follows an earlier Police statement which said officers had foiled a robbery attempt at the GCB Bank branch at Labone.
That initial statement said two suspects had been killed and another arrested.
GCB Bank later denied that any robbery or attempted robbery had occurred at its Labone branch.
The bank said its premises were not breached and that no customer, staff member, funds or property was affected.
In a further update issued on Thursday, August 13, the Police said they received intelligence at about 10:45 a.m. that a gang was preparing to attack the three banks.
A police team was immediately deployed to the area.
The suspects were later spotted in two vehicles parked close to the banks.
Police said one of the vehicles sped off after the suspects noticed the officers.
The team pursued the vehicle and arrested one suspect, identified as Augustine Okechuku Maazi.
Another occupant of that vehicle escaped.
According to the Police, occupants of the second vehicle also attempted to flee while firing at officers.
The Police said the exchange led to a shootout in which two suspects were killed.
“Police engaged them in a shoot out resulting in the death of two suspects,” the statement said.
Two vehicles were recovered during the operation.
They are a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS-7915-17.
Police also retrieved a blow pistol.
The arrested suspect, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, is currently in police custody assisting with investigations.
The bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.
The Police say investigations are ongoing as efforts continue to trace the suspect who escaped.
