Crime & Punishment of Monday, 5 February 2007

Source: GNA

Burkinabe armed robber deported

Bawku (U/E), Feb. 05, GNA - A Burkinabe armed robber who attacked traders on board a mini bus travelling from Burkina Faso to Ghana have been arrested by the Bawku police and handed over to their Burkinabe's counterparts.

Amadou Sidibi, 28, who was part of a five-member gang, was captured on Sunday following an alarm raised by the driver of the mini bus with registration number 11HH 7568, Oudragou Seidu. Briefing the Ghana News Agency, (GNA), the Bawku Divisional Crime Officer, ASP I.C. Akligbe, said the police received complaint from Oudragou and some passengers on Friday morning that they were attacked on Thursday night by five armed men in mask and robbed of their monies running into millions of cedis and francs.

He said some of the women also complained that they were manhandled and sexually assaulted by the armed men. ASP Akligbe said the driver added that in the course of the operation, Sidibi removed his mask in order to wear it properly, which enabled him (Oudragou) to observe Sidibi well.

He explained that on Sunday, Oudragou spotted Sidibi near the market and raised an alarm and Sidibi took to his heels but with the help of some onlookers he was arrested and brought to the police station.

The Crime Officer said some of the victims came to the police station and identified Sidibi as a member of the gang that attacked them.

He said Sidibi also confessed to the crime and added that his colleagues where still in Burkina Faso and pleaded that he should not he handed over to the Burkinabe authorities.

ASP Akligbe said since the Burkinabe authorities were aware of the crime, they were alerted about Sidibi's arrest and they requested for his extradition.