Assin Nsuaem (C/R), March 14, – A Police officer attached to the Police Intelligence Directorate (PID) of the Central North Regional Police Command has sustained a gunshot injury during an operation targeting a suspected goat-stealing syndicate in the Assin South District of the Central Region.
The incident occurred at about 0300 hours on Thursday after officers manning the Assin Besease barrier received intelligence about a group allegedly stealing goats from communities in the Central and Eastern Regions and transporting them along the Assin Fosu–Cape Coast Highway.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abraham Acquaye, Central North Regional Police Commander, said the suspects reportedly used vehicles fitted with sirens and official-style lighting systems to create the impression that they were security personnel on official duty. This, he explained, enabled them to move through communities without raising suspicion.
Police officers on duty signalled one of the vehicles, which was using a siren, to stop, but the driver failed to comply, resulting in a high-speed pursuit.
During the chase, officers fired warning shots and aimed at the tyres in an attempt to disable the vehicle. The suspects, however, abandoned the vehicle and fled into nearby bushes while firing shots at the pursuing officers.
In the exchange, an officer from the PID unit sustained a gunshot wound in the knee, believed to have been inflicted by the fleeing suspects.
DCOP Acquaye said subsequent operations led to the arrest of four of the six suspected members of the syndicate at different locations along the Assin Abease–Tomfokro and Assin Manso–Ochiso roads. Two other suspects managed to escape.
Police investigations revealed that the first vehicle, a Mitsubishi Highlander with registration number GR-1623-26, was carrying four suspects and about 170 goats believed to have been stolen from various communities in the Central and Eastern Regions.
A second vehicle, a Mitsubishi Pajero with registration number GR-9864-19, was later intercepted at Assin Manso-Okyeso with two suspects transporting 10 goats and one male sheep.
The injured police officer and suspects who were wounded during the confrontation were taken to the St Francis Xavier Hospital at Assin Fosu for treatment.
Senior police officers, including DCOP Acquaye and the Assin Fosu Divisional Police Commander, Dr Winfred Asare-Nyarko, later visited the hospital to check on the condition of the injured officer and the suspects.
Of the animals recovered, 13 pregnant goats and one male sheep reportedly died due to the manner in which they were transported.
The remaining animals have been placed at the ranch of the Assin Fosu Municipal Assembly while investigations continue.
The two vehicles used by the suspects have also been impounded and are currently being kept at the Central North Regional Police Headquarters.
GHBUSS
14 March 2026
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