Commissioner of Police George Akuffo Dampare
The Volta Regional Police Command’s anti-robbery squad says it is pursuing suspected highway armed robbers who attacked a commercial vehicle in the early hours of last Sunday at Kpando-Agbenoxoe.
The Police said in a statement that they know the suspects, and vowed to get them to face the full rigors of the law.
According to the statement, the Volta Regional Police Command’s Anti-Robbery Squad is on targeted special operation to hunt down the rapid increase of armed robbery in the region
“The Anti-Robbery Squad attached to the Volta Regional Police Command is on a targeted intelligence-led special operation to combat armed robbery activities in the region, especially along the Kpando-Dambai Highway,” it said.
The statement indicated that a group of armed robbers had been operating on that stretch, attacking passengers and motorists, and robbing them of their valuables.
It added that the Volta Regional Police Command had deployed its Anti-Robbery Squad to clamp down on criminal activities in the region, stressing that “other Anti-Robbery Squads all over the country are on high alert to deal with any armed group”.
Notorious robber arrest
In the related development, the Ghana Police Service arrested Abdulai Issaka Achalicaab, a notorious armed robber, at Sandema last Saturday.
Police reports showed that Abdulai Issaka Achalicaab had been behind a series of robberies at Sandema, Fumbisi and other surrounding enclaves. He was also on the Police wanted list for jumping bail in a robbery case pending trial before a court in Bolga since 2020.
The Police added that further details established that suspect was responsible for the robbery in Kadema which occurred on July 24, 2021, in which a victim was severely wounded.
It explained that during the special operation, the Police recovered from the suspect three unregistered motorbikes, believed to have been robbed from his victims and used for his robbery activities.
The statement commended the Upper East Regional Police Command for its efforts in pursuing criminals in the region to ensure the safety of the public.
Western region robbery
Meanwhile, the combined efforts of the Police and members of the Wassa Appiahkrom and Ayiem communities has led to the arrest of mine robbery suspects in two robbery attacks on January 7 & 8, 2022 at Wassa Akropong and Mpohor in the Western Region.
The Police said the suspects attacked their victims with an array of weapons, made up of a locally manufactured pistol, cutlasses and a dagger. They bolted from the crime scenes with various items, including a motorbike, mobile phones and a cash amount of GHC 2,700.
The suspects, Godwin Boah, Philemon Essien, Emmanuel Yaley, Mohammed Sumaila, Evans Amarh, Patrick Aboah, Augustine Nana Abaka, Kwabena Acquah and Godfred Akwah, are currently in police custody.
“Suspect Philemon Essien who sustained gunshot wound on his hand and suspect Emmanuel Yaley who sustained non-gunshot related injuries during the arrest were sent to Effia-Nkwanta Regional Hospital where they were admitted for treatment under Police guard,” the statement added.
Items retrieved from the suspects included a cash amount of GhC2,200.00, a motorbike, and an Opel taxi with registration no. WR 3186-14, which has been impounded for further investigation.
Police are however on man-hunt for two of the suspects who managed to escape.
“We highly commend community members of Wassa Appiahkrom and Ayiem for supporting the police in effecting the arrests and also commend the personnel of the Western Regional Command for their patriotic services towards ensuring peace and security in the region,” the statement said.
It noted that
“Police-Community partnership is the master key to crime fighting and there is therefore need continue to work together for safer communities”.
