General News of Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Source: GNA

Police call for cooperation to fight highway robbery

Accra, Aug. 17, GNA – The Ghana Police Service on Wednesday called on the general public, especially motorists, to co-operate with the police to fight the spate of highway robbery, following a robbery incident at Mabongo on the Tamale-Bolgatanga road last Monday.

The attack occurred when a group of nine robbers armed with locally made pistols attacked two buses resulting in the death of a driver and a passenger.

A release issued to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday indicated that owing to the increasing rate of robbery recorded on highways, the police had devised measures including escorting a fleet of buses to their destination to contain the situation.

However, some motorists were not co-operating with the police in the exercise, as some drivers refused to stop when signalled by the police to do so, it said.

It appealed to all transport operators to make adequate room to accommodate the police to enable them to provide the necessary security on their buses.

The police also called on the general public to play their part to support the police to provide security in the country.

“Its limited resources notwithstanding, the police are committed to fighting crime and creating a peaceful atmosphere in line with its mandate at all times,” it said.

According to the release, investigations to bring the perpetrators of the robbery to book had commenced in earnest, while all efforts were being made to strengthen security on the highways.

The police said anyone with information on the identity or whereabouts of the perpetrators of the crime and any other crimes should report to the nearest police station or call MTN or Vodafone short code 18555 or 0302 773906.