Kwabla Bikor, 22, who with four others engaged police in a shoot-out, after robbing a woman at Laklevikope, near Denu last week, has been sentenced to 28 years imprisonment in hard labour.

Bikor, a native of Agbozume but resident in Ashale Botwe, Accra, was jailed on his own plea by the Aflao Circuit Court.

He would reappear before the court presided over by Mr Ali Baba Abature, on November 15, for trial on the other charge of attempted murder, to which he pleaded not guilty.

Bikor’s accomplices, including two Fulanis, names withheld, are still on the run.

Mr Michael Akemo, a Detective Police Sergeant of Aflao told the court that Bikor and his other accomplices, armed with sophisticated weapons, at about 0530 hours on October 27, broke into the Laklevikope residence of Madam Forgive Sorkpor, a drink depot operator.

He said the gang held the complainant’s household hostage at gunpoint and subjected her to beatings as they demanded that she bring out her valuables.

The prosecutor said they ransacked victim’s rooms, took seven cellular phones and her handbag containing mainly keys and finally bolted as some passers-by raised the alarm.

Mr Akemo said a police and military patrol team and some civilians pursued them through the lagoon the Diamond Cement factory near Aflao, where they engaged the security personnel in a shootout.

He said Bikor was arrested and three of the victim’s phones were found on him while the others fled with the Pump Action and AK 47 rifles they were armed with.

Mr Akemo said the robbers abandoned the victim’s handbag with its contents and fled.

Mr Akemo said 43 year old Keli Dodozi, a civilian assisting the security personnel was shot in the abdomen by the robbers during the shootout, and is currently on admission and responding to treatment in hospital.

The complainant has also been treated and discharged at a hospital of lacerations she suffered from the group.