Kumasi, July 26, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Police have arrested two suspected criminals believed to be kingpins in a number of robberies recorded in the Kumasi metropolis over the past four years. Ibrahim Saani 23, and Murtala Mohammed, 24, are in police custody.

Their accomplices, only known as Casulla, Jallau, Yankey, Haruna, Bimbilla, are on the run and are on the police wanted list. Assistant Commissioner of Police Bright Oduro, Ashanti Regional Crime Officer, told journalists in Kumasi on Wednesday that Saani, who is land guard in Accra, commuted between Accra and Kumasi and engaged other people in the gang in land guard activities at Sowutuom. He said on July 7, 2005, he and his gang, calling itself "Al-Qaeda," engaged another land guard group in a shoot-out during which one person died with others sustaining injuries.

Mr Oduro said Saani was arrested on July 10, 2007 at the premises of the Kumasi High Court One when he was granted bail for allegedly possessing illegal firearms. Murtala was also arrested at a hideout in Kumasi on July 21.