The vigilance of passengers and drivers at the Berekum lorry station in the Brong-Ahafo Region led to the arrest of three suspected armed robbers who attempted to board a vehicle.

The suspects Osman Abdulai, 42, Amadu Gibrine, 30, Issa Sali, 35, all Fulani, claimed to be residents of Berekum.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Robert Ayalingo, the Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that on the night of January 1, the suspects attempted to board an Urvan bus from Berekum to Techiman.

He said passengers on board the vehicle looking at the appearance and attitude of the suspects prevented them from boarding the vehicle.

DCOP Ayalingo said Mr Yaw Kwakye, an executive member of the Berekum Progressive Transport Owners Association (PROTOA) and Mr Appiah Nyamekye, a driver, confronted the suspects and asked them to board a Techiman-bound taxi cab but they refused.

He said the suspects sensing danger threw away their bags and took to their heels and when the bags were searched one of them contained a locally manufactured shot-gun and 11 cartridges.

DCOP Ayalingo said the suspects were chased and with the support of the Berekum police patrol team they were arrested.

He said the armed robbers normally targeted traders carrying huge sums of monies on them and pledged the commitment of the police patrol team to clamp down on them.

DCOP Ayalingo said the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations.