A group of robbers, led by Mohammed Abubakar aka Manam, who successfully carried out five robberies in a spate of three hours, in some areas of Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital, have been busted.

Manam, who allegedly took part in each of the robbery operations with different sets of hoodlums, purportedly snatched a car and also robbed scores of his victims of their valuables, including cash and mobile phones, at gunpoint.

The Ashanti Regional police, who have declared war on criminals in the region, worked tirelessly to apprehend Manam and six of his cohorts, less than 24 hours after the operations.

Mohammed Abubakar, described by the police as very dangerous, had been linked to several robberies in the city in recent times. Most of the robbers that he worked with in the past had either been killed or sentenced to various prison terms.

He is on record as having operated with Baba Musah, aka Soldier, a notorious robber, and Faisal Lebelebe, who is currently serving 100 years in prison over a different robbery case.

ACP Ampofo Duku, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, described the arrest of Mohammed Abubakar and his gang as a major breakthrough for the police in their resolve to flush criminals out of the region.

Throwing light on the issue, ACP Ampofo Duku said Manam, 32 and Abdul Fatao Issah, 24, residents of Akurem, around 10:30 pm on November 3, 2015, at gunpoint, snatched a taxi cab, registered AS 6151-13, which they had hired.

ACP Duku said the car was from the airport roundabout area to Duase, but upon reaching Duase New Site, the criminals pulled a double barrel locally manufactured pistol at the driver and snatched the vehicle.

The duo took GH¢80 from the driver and blocked the Duase/Hwidiem road with the car. An Urvan bus, registered AW 8204-12 and a Nissan cab – AS 8584-09 – which emerged at the scene, were stopped and the passengers robbed at gunpoint.

Manam and Issah then shared their booty, including eleven mobile phones and money which they took from the passengers, and fled the scene.

According to ACP Duku, from there, Manam parted ways with Issah and he (Manam) embarked on four more robberies with four different groups of criminals, including Abdul Razak, also described as a dangerous robber.

The police chief said Ibrahim Sumaila and Saanie Mohammed, both victims of Manam’s robberies, reported the case at the Asawase police station, a few minutes after they were attacked at Duase New Site.

The two victims on November 4, this year, led the police to the house of Abdul Fatau Issah and the suspect was apprehended, hauled to the police station to assist in investigations.

He said around 3:30 am on November 4, Manam and Abdul Razakk Mohammed aka Young Devil, hired a taxi at Aboabo to Suame but on the way, the two robbers pulled a gun at the driver and took away his mobile phone and money, amid slaps.

The driver reported the case to a police patrol team who traced and arrested Manam and Razak at Dichemso, a suburb of Kumasi.

He said the police found eight mobile phones and a locally manufactured pistol on Manam, and added that both Manam and Razak admitted the offence during police interrogations.