Akyem Oda, June 15, GNA - Three out of eight armed robbers who robbed a number of passengers at Akyem Asantemang on the Akyem Oda-Agona Swedru road on June 5 and shot one of the passengers dead have been arrested by the Akyem Oda police.

They have been identified as Charles Essien, 33, leader of the robbers, Kofi Asare, 17, both from Akyem Esuboa in the Birim South District, and Kingsley Djan, 21.

Police said they were arrested at their hideout at Akyem Manso where they were enjoying themselves with their girlfriends. The police impounded two vehicles, an opel Astra with registration number GE 5360 W and Renault with registration number GW 6364 R, both belonging to Essien.

Chief Superintendent of Police Ben Atadana, the Akyem Oda Divisional Commander, told journalists that after the robbery the police had information that some of the robbers who hailed from Akyem Esoboa were hiding at Akyem Manso.

A team of policemen were dispatched to the town and succeeded in arresting the three men.

During a search, a military bayonet, talisman, axe and knives were found on them.

Throwing more light on the robbery, Mr Atadana said at about 2130 hours on that day, the robbers wearing masks and wielding AK 47 assault rifles and other locally made pistols blocked the road at a junction near Akyem Asantemang. They stopped a fleet of vehicles from both directions and subjected passengers to severe beatings. They robbed them of money and mobile phones.

Madam Ekua Boaduwaah, 45, a native of Akyem Esuboa who knew Essien and called him by name was shot dead while the driver of a vehicle, Jafara Zakari who also hailed from Akyem Esuboa was shot in the head and is in a critical condition at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.