A police officer with the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) of the Central North Regional Police Command has sustained a gunshot wound during an operation against suspected goat robbers in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
The incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, when officers stationed at the Assin Besease barrier received intelligence about a robbery syndicate allegedly stealing goats from communities in the Central and Eastern Regions and transporting them along the Assin Fosu–Cape Coast highway.
According to the Central North Regional Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, the suspects operate using vehicles fitted with sirens and official-style lighting systems to create the impression that they are official duty vehicles, enabling them to move without attracting suspicion.
Police officers on duty signalled the vehicles, which were using a siren, to stop. However, the driver failed to comply, prompting a high-speed chase.
Officers subsequently fired warning shots and targeted the tyres in an attempt to immobilize the vehicle.
The suspects later abandoned the vehicle and fled into the bush.
During the pursuit, an officer from the PID Unit sustained a gunshot wound to the knee.
Police, however, managed to arrest four out of the six suspects, who were reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons, along the Assin Abease–Tomforkro road.
Investigations revealed that the first vehicle, a Mitsubishi Highlander with registration number GR-1623-26, was carrying four suspected robbers and 17 goats believed to have been stolen from several communities in the Central Region.
A second vehicle, a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GR-9864-19, was later intercepted at Assin Manso–Okyeso with two additional suspects transporting 10 goats and one male sheep.
Both the injured police officer and suspects who sustained injuries during the exchange were rushed to St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, senior police officers led by the Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, and the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Commander, ACP Dr. Winfred Asare Nyarkoh, visited the hospital to assess the condition of the injured officer and the suspects.
Out of the 28 animals recovered, 13 goats and one male sheep died, including 13 pregnant goats, believed to have died due to the manner in which they were transported.
The recovered animals have been kept at the ranch/pen of the Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly as investigations continue, while the vehicles used in the operation have also been impounded and are currently being held at the Central North Regional Police Headquarters.
Source: Kwame Asante Shadrack, Angel News
