Hwidiem, (Brong Ahafo) 19 April ?99

For Helping to prevent armed robbers from stealing two vehicles at Hwidiem in Brong Ahafo and Tepa in the Ashanti region, Mr Eric Buabeng faces death threats.

The 29-year old driver of Stanley Mining Services, a gold prospecting company at Kenyasi in the Asutifi district is alleged to have received the death threats in a letter, written by the leader of the robbers, through the personnel manager of the company.

The robbers in the said letter expressed disgust at a commendation Radio BAR, in Sunyani gave to Mr Buabeng and accused him of interfering with their operations. "We are aware of your weekly visits to your girl-friend at Sunyani and we shall lay ambush for you", the letter said. On February 18 this year, at about midnight Mr Buabeng saw robbers stealing a car at Hwidiem.

He chased them with a company vehicle to Akwasiase near Tepa in the Ashanti region, where he sought the assistance of Custom Officers stationed there to apprehend the robbers. After a shoot-out the robbers, who were heading towards Kumasi, abandoned the vehicle.

When the robbers got to Tepa they stole a passenger bus at gunpoint. Another shoot-out between them and the Officers compelled them to abandon the bus. The Police at Hwidiem have mounted a search for the robbers.