Mohammed Bello, a 20-year-old armed robber, has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour after pleading guilty to charges of robbery along the Kasoa-Winneba Road.

The ruling was delivered on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, by the Ofaakor Circuit Court following Bello’s admission of guilt.

Mohammed Bello’s conviction follows a violent robbery attack along the notorious Kasoa-Winneba Road that left drivers and passengers traumatised. The young man pleaded guilty to charges of robbery after a swift investigation by the Central East Regional Police Command.

On the night of 6 July 2025, at around 12:30 am, Bello and four unidentified accomplices mounted a brazen attack near Dabanyin, close to the Gomoa Buduatta junction. The gang ambushed unsuspecting motorists, robbing them of cash, mobile phones, and other valuables.

The police, acting swiftly on intelligence, arrested Bello as he attempted to escape. During his arrest, officers recovered several stolen items, including GHC3,740 in cash, two Samsung smartphones, a Tecno Spark 20, an Ital keypad phone, a power bank, a lady’s purse, five sticks of cigarettes, a wristwatch, a headset, a mobile phone charger, and a pair of sandals later identified by one of the victims.

In court, Bello’s admission of guilt left no room for doubt. The presiding judge handed him a heavy 25-year sentence, underscoring the severity of the crime and sending a strong message to criminals operating along Ghana’s highways.

Head of Public Affairs for the Central East Regional Police Command, DSP Victor Kofi Dosoo, described the conviction as a significant milestone in the fight against violent crime. “This conviction demonstrates our unwavering resolve to ensure the safety of the public,” he said. “We are intensifying efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and bring them to justice.”

Despite the successful conviction, the case has sparked broader concerns about the growing spate of highway robberies across the country. Many Ghanaians are questioning why such attacks continue to plague major roads and whether security patrols are robust enough to deter these crimes.

Residents and commuters who frequently use the Kasoa-Winneba road say they remain anxious, as Bello’s four accomplices are still on the run. Some have called for increased highway surveillance and a more visible police presence to restore public confidence.

Meanwhile, the Central East Regional Police Command has urged the public to come forward with any information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects. Citizens can call the police hotline or report to the nearest police station.