7 arrested over armed hijacking of fuel tanker

Seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the armed hijacking of a 5,400-litre fuel tanker, following a coordinated police operation spanning the Greater Accra and Eastern regions.

The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on August 7, 2025. Officers manning the Ablekuma Borkorborkor checkpoint in Accra stopped a green pickup truck carrying three passengers in its cargo area.

As police approached the vehicle, two of the men suddenly fled, shouting that they had been kidnapped by armed robbers who hijacked their tanker near Nsawam the previous night.

The driver of the pickup sped off, abandoning the third man, who was quickly arrested after a short chase.

Police later confirmed that the fleeing men were indeed the victims tanker drivers from Tema who had been handcuffed and abducted by the suspects during the hijacking.

Investigations revealed that the stolen fuel tanker, bearing registration number GT 2493–20, had been forcibly taken during the night.

Acting on this lead, police intelligence teams launched a follow-up operation that led to the arrest of six more suspects at Asikwa Junction, near Bunso in the Eastern Region.

At the scene, officers recovered the stolen tanker, another fuel tanker (GN 804–13), a pumping machine believed to have been used to siphon the fuel, and a Volkswagen Golf vehicle (GW 5185–Z) linked to the suspects.

All seven suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be arraigned soon.

The recovered fuel tankers and equipment have been secured as evidence as investigations continue.

The police have assured the public that justice will be served and commended the officers involved for their swift response and effective coordination, which led to the breakthrough in what could have been a major fuel theft operation.