A ten-man gang, including two ex-soldiers, has been sentenced to hard labor for a meticulously planned gold heist in Wassa Akropong.
Inside Job Gone Wrong
The mastermind behind the operation turned out to be a security guard, Isaac Adjei, employed by the targeted company, AU Resources. In September 2018, Adjei tipped off retired soldier Emmanuel Tetteh about the company’s gold reserves, hatching a robbery plot.
Building the Team
Tetteh recruited his former military colleague, Samuel Agbadoku, to assemble the team. Agbadoku enlisted the help of a fetish priest, Pascal Korku Atatsitsey, who further recruited other accomplices, including another fetish priest, a farmer, and a self-proclaimed businessman.
Failed First Attempt
On October 1st, 2018, the group arrived in Wassa Akropong, but their initial attempt to rob the company failed due to a lack of weapons.
Escalating the Crime
Undeterred, they brought in reinforcements. Afavi, another fetish priest, contacted a notorious ex-convict, Mohammed Buzu, and an unidentified accomplice to join the operation. Buzu and the accomplice arrived on October 5th, armed with pistols.
Successful Robbery, Short-Lived Freedom
The following day, the armed robbers stormed the gold-buying company and made off with a significant haul – 7.5 kilograms of gold, several mobile phones, and a substantial amount of cash. However, their escape wasn’t flawless. Security footage captured their actions.
Internal Conflict Leads to Arrest
While waiting for their accomplices, the group argued amongst themselves at a hotel in Kasoa. This commotion alerted hotel security, who contacted the police. Two members of the gang were apprehended, leading to a domino effect of arrests as others were identified and captured throughout the following months.
Sentencing
Nine of the convicts confessed to their roles in the robbery. They claimed the stolen goods were with Buzu and the unidentified accomplice who had fled to Benin. Tetteh, Agbadoku, and eight others were sentenced to 17 years each. Buzu received a harsher sentence of 50 years due to his prior criminal record. The remaining accomplice is still at large.
This case highlights the dangers of insider threats and the lengths criminals will go to in acquiring wealth. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures and collaboration between law enforcement and the public.
