The peaceful Sunday afternoon of July 20, 2024, was shattered by a brazen highway robbery targeting the convoy of Pe Ditundini Adiali Ayagitam III, a respected Council of State member representing the Upper East Region of Ghana. Returning from the Northern Development Conference in Tamale and en route to Kumasi, the convoy, nearing Mile 40 on the Buipe-Tamale highway, was ambushed by a group of approximately fifteen heavily armed assailants. The attackers executed a well-coordinated assault, blocking the road and unleashing a barrage of gunfire on the unsuspecting travelers before absconding with a significant haul of valuables. This audacious attack has raised serious concerns about highway security in the region and prompted a swift investigation by the Savannah Regional Police.
The attack unfolded with chilling precision. As the convoy approached Mile 40, the armed assailants, some concealed behind masks, emerged from the roadside vegetation. Without warning, they opened fire on the vehicles, creating a scene of chaos and terror. One of the chief’s bodyguards, caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, attempted to retaliate with his sidearm. However, his efforts were thwarted when his pistol malfunctioned, forcing him to seek cover in the surrounding bush. In the ensuing confusion, he was compelled to abandon his CZ assault rifle, which the attackers promptly seized along with the other looted items.
The robbers made off with a substantial amount of cash and personal belongings. Among the stolen items were GHS 41,000, $200 USD, CFA 3,000, a Lenovo laptop, two iPhones, a Samsung phone, a smart wristwatch, a pair of reading glasses, and a hat belonging to the chief. The convoy’s driver, Jacob Apanyina, also suffered losses, with GHS 800 and an iPhone 11 stolen from him. This comprehensive list of stolen items suggests that the robbers were thorough and opportunistic, taking advantage of the chaotic situation to maximize their gains.
The Buipe Police, alerted to the incident by a distress call around 5:00 p.m., swiftly dispatched a highway patrol team to the scene. However, the attackers had already vanished into the dense bush by the time the officers arrived. The police discovered fifteen spent AK-47 shell casings and three BBB cartridges at the scene, stark evidence of the heavy firepower employed in the ambush. Fortunately, despite the intensity of the attack, no injuries were reported among the members of the convoy.
The sophistication of the attack, coupled with the heavy weaponry used, has led police to believe that this was a well-planned operation. The attackers’ knowledge of the convoy’s route, the coordinated execution of the ambush, and their swift escape all point to a level of organization that raises concerns about the presence of organized criminal activity in the region. The recovery of the police-issued rifle is now a top priority for investigators, as its potential use in future criminal activities poses a significant threat to public safety.
In response to the gravity of the incident, a specialized team from the Regional Police Intelligence Directorate has been deployed to the area. These investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the events of the ambush and identify the perpetrators. They are collaborating with local informants, hoping to glean valuable intelligence that will lead to the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of the stolen items, particularly the missing assault rifle. As of the latest reports, the identities of the gunmen remain unknown, and no arrests have been made. This ongoing investigation underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating such organized criminal activities and highlights the need for enhanced security measures on the nation’s highways.
