Nigerian arrested, two suspects dead as Ghana police foil bank robbery

A Nigerian man, Augustine Okechuku Maazi, has been arrested after Ghanaian police operatives foiled an alleged attempt to rob three banks in the Labone area of Accra.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 13, 2026, after the Ghana Police Service received intelligence about a planned attack on GCB Bank, Ecobank and Zenith Bank in the area.

The police said officers were deployed to Labone at about 10:45 am and found suspected members of the gang in vehicles parked near the banks.

It was gathered that the suspects attempted to escape after sighting the police.

Officers chased one of the vehicles and arrested Maazi, while another occupant escaped.

The occupants of a second vehicle opened fire while trying to escape, leading to a shootout in which two suspects died.

“Upon sighting the police, one of the vehicles sped off in an attempt to escape. The police gave them a chase and arrested one suspect, Augustine Okechuku Maazi. The other occupant however managed to escape,” a statement released by the Ghana Police Service said.

The police also recovered two vehicles — a Toyota Highlander with registration number GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration number GS 7915-17 — as well as a blow pistol.

The Ghana Police Service said Maazi remains in custody and is assisting with the investigation, while the bodies of the two deceased suspects have been deposited at a morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy.