Regional News of Wednesday, 23 November 2005

Source: the Servant

Robbers attack police officer

Courage and bravery was on high display when a police C.I.D on patrol duty at the Obuasi mine industrial area, bumped into armed robbers who attacked him with guns and cutlass at about mid-night. Police SGT. D. K. Nsesokpa (alias D. K) who was patrolling the area with four other private security personnel came face-to-face with death after his colleagues from the private security division took to their heels for fear of their lives.

D. K. told ?The Servant? in an exclusive interview that, the robbers mounted the attack with guns and cutlasses, and succeeded in inflicted cutlass wounds on him after his duty colleagues left him to his fate.

He told our correspondent that as he struggled with the robbers, a buffer patrol team comprising colleague policemen arrived at the scene and launched a counter attack.

In the ensuing battle, the police shot two of the robbers and arrested one by name Ibrahim Mohammed, 23.

However the team of robbers whose exact number was unknown as at the time, managed to whisk their shot colleagues away without being arrested. When Ibrahim Mohammed was sent to the police station for interrogation, he mentioned one Ata John as an accomplice and led the police to arrest him as well. Sources say the matter is further being investigated to arrest the remaining culprits.

The mine industrial area has for the past years gained notoriety to several armed robbery incidents. Virtually all companies at the area have at one time or the other suffered some form of robbery from the hands of these robbers who are believed to number about twelve.

As part of their modus operandi, these robbers invade the premises of companies by jumping walls or creating artificial entrances.

They immediately attack security men on duty, tie their hands, assault and inflict deep injuries on them before making away with their booty. The arrest therefore of the two suspects has been hailed by the inhabitants of Obuasi as a major breakthrough in the fight against the robbers.