The Ashanti Regional Police Command says it is making progress in disarming an armed robbery gang suspected to have been involved in a number of organized crimes in the region.

The notorious gang has in recent times terrorized residents of Kumasi and environs – they rob, maim and sometimes kill victims.

The syndicate was led by Emmanuel Nyamekye, alias ‘50 Cent’ who was shot and killed by the Police, Tuesday dawn, after engaging the police in a gun battle around Asafo in the Kumasi metropolis.

Another leading member of the gang, Kwadwo Asare, also known as ‘Lumba’, was also shot dead in the incident.

The deceased have been linked to recent robberies at Asokore Mampong which lead to the shooting of one Nasiru Gulet, after the gang robbed him of Gh35,000 on August 3.

Four other suspected members of the gang are also in Police grips. Kwabena Annor, alias Kofi Elijah and Clement Kwabena Bahanga were both arrested in Bolga in the Upper East Region on June 30, 2016 and later handed over to the police in the Ashanti for investigations.

The two others, Isaac Ofosuhene and Yaw Gyimah were arrested upon a tip off.

Last June, they were alleged to have attacked Uncle Ben’s Bakery at Bomso in Kumasi, where they shot three customers after robbing them of unspecified amount of money.

According to police report, the group used AK 47 assault rifles in carrying out their operations.

Addressing the media in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional Deputy Police Commander, ACP Ampofo Duku, described the killing of ‘50 Cent’ as a landmark victory in the war against crime in the region.

“Today marks another success story of the police,” stated Mr Ampofo Duku.

The police are also hunting for 43 year old Abraham Kwaku Sarpong, alias ‘Asuo’, who has been linked to the murder of the former NPP polling station chairman at Aputuogya. He has also been involved in other robbery incidents at Denchemuoso, Ahenema Kokoben and Ejisu.

Other suspected robbers on the police wanted list are Kwabena Owusu Mensah, an associate of ‘50 cent’, Abraham, alias Abbey; Jones, Kuus, Kwasi Kwaako, Dialo, alias Area, Ibrahim Abass, Mathew Gyedu, alias Zion, Toaghtoagh and Action, all syndicates of the Aputuogya robbery.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested over twenty people in a swoop conducted in parts of the Kumasi metropolis, in a move to purge the system of crime, especially as the country goes into general elections.

By William Evans-Nkum|3news.com|Ghana