Police in the Northern Region foiled an armed robbery attack on the Savelugu-Walewale highway in the early hours of yesterday.

The robbers, numbering about six, blocked the road at Gbanyali, near the Savelugu School for the Deaf, and lined up vehicles to rob the passengers.

The timely arrival of the police at the scene, however, thwarted the plan of the robbers, who fled into the bush after exchanging fire with the police.

Confirming the incident to the media, Northern Region Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Mohammed Yusif Tanko explained that, “Police received information today at about 2am that armed robbers had blocked the road at Gbanyali near the Savelugu School for the Deaf. Men were quickly mobilised from police checkpoints on the road to deal with the situation. When police got to the scene, the robbers, numbering about six, had lined up vehicles and had just started to rob them. They opened fire on police and police returned fire and pursued the fleeing robbers into the bushes.”

In the event, the robbers abandoned three motorbikes, which are currently in the custody of the police.

The police appealed to residents in and around the area to be on the lookout for strange and suspicious persons to assist the police apprehend the robbers.

“Police suspect some of the robbers might have escaped with gunshot wounds, and are, therefore, calling on individuals, hospitals, herbalists and other health facilities to report suspicious injuries to police for necessary action. Communities around Savelugu are also entreated to be on the lookout for strange and suspicious persons in their communities and report same to police. We also entreat the public to assist us trace the owners of the motorbikes,” DSP Tanko pleaded.

Meanwhile, investigations have since commenced into the incident.