Koforidua, Oct 6, GNA- Four of five robbery syndicates operating at the Kotoka International Airport in Accra have been busted by the police.

The fifth one is on the run and is being pursued by the police, the Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Tawiah Quaye, said this when he called on the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional area, Daasebre Oti Boateng and the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, as part of his tour of the Eastern Region.

Many foreigners have fallen prey to these robbers whose modus operandi has been to trail people who arrive in the country to their homes and rob them.

He said the police were well positioned to fight crime and assured the public that the police would do everything to protect lives and property.

Mr Tawiah said armed robbery incidences had been recorded in the Eastern Region especially at Suhum and its surrounding areas as a result of the pressure being put on them in Accra and that the police would fight them anywhere.

The IGP called on all to collaborate with the police for effective community policing that would be relevant to the security needs of the

Daasebre Oti Boateng said the activities of the robbers at the airport marred the security image of Ghana to the outside world and also scaring investors away for fear of their lives and that of their businesses

He praised the IGP for his sterling performance in the last few months in tracking down armed robbers and urged the police to step up their operations to ensure that the robbers had no safe haven anywhere. Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin said many illegalities such as illegal mining and tree felling had affected his area, endangering the health and lives of his people.

This, he said, needed the attention of the police and that the police had to track down especially those who were behind these operations. "Nobody irrespective of his personality is above the law." The Okyenhene told the IGP not to hesitate to let his men arrest any chief who connived with people to embark on such illegalities because the indications were that some chiefs took money and allowed people to operate in their areas.

He said he and the traditional council had met several times and warned chiefs involved in such practices to stop but to no avail and urged the IGP to let the law take its course.