The Ghana Police Service says Thursday’s security operation in Labone revealed a coordinated robbery plot targeting three financial institutions, not just GCB Bank as earlier indicated.
According to the Police, a robbery syndicate was preparing to simultaneously strike GCB Bank, Ecobank, and Zenith Bank in the Labone district when officers moved in to intercept them.
The clarification comes after an initial Police statement suggested that an attempted robbery at the GCB Bank Labone branch had been foiled.
That report prompted GCB Bank to issue a denial, stating that its facility was never breached and that no staff, customers, funds, or property were affected.
In its latest update, the Police Service detailed the sequence of events. At approximately 10:45 am on Thursday, authorities received intelligence that a gang was mobilising to attack the three banks.
A rapid response team was deployed and spotted the suspects in two parked vehicles near the banks.
When officers approached, one vehicle sped away. Police pursued and arrested Augustine Okechuku Maazi, while a second occupant escaped.
In the second vehicle, suspects attempted to flee and allegedly opened fire on officers, prompting the Police to return fire. Two suspects were fatally wounded and pronounced dead at the scene.
Recovered items include two vehicles, a Toyota Highlander with registration GS-1434-18 and a Hyundai Tucson with registration GS-7915-17, as well as a blow pistol.
Suspect Augustine Okechuku Maazi remains in custody, assisting with investigations. The bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue for identification and autopsy.
The Police Service has commended its officers for their swift intervention, which prevented what could have been a violent, multi-target attack.
Authorities are urging the public to continue sharing credible information as efforts continue to track down the escaped accomplice and determine whether the syndicate is linked to other criminal networks.
