…after hot exchange of gun-fire!
By Emmanuel Gbedemah
Determined to rid Tema, the Harbour City of Ghana, off any vestige of crime, the
Tema Regional Police Commander, ASP Augustine Gyenning and his men are carrying the
fight to armed-robbers be it in the day or at night. As a result, a notorious
armed-robber who chose to operate in the afternoon of last Friday, September 17,
2010 was shot dead by a police patrol team whom he shot at while attempting to flee
after one of his robbery expeditions.
In a press briefing later, ASP Augustine Gyenning, explained that the armed robber,
who is yet to be identified, took advantage of the fact that the police were in
another part of the city, Tema New Town, busily quelling a violent riot by some
youths, to rob unsuspecting residents of Klagon/Lashibi,and other commuters of their
hard earned money and property.
The Tema Police boss said fortunately his outfit had a distress call from an
informant about a robbery taking place in that area. He subsequently ordered the
Police Day Patrol Team to move to the area to ascertain the informant’s report.
According to him, the robber, upon sighting the Police Patrol Team, jumped onto his
unregistered motor bike and sped off. He was, however, giving a hot chase and
ordered to stop. But in his attempt to escape, the armed robber opened fire on
police. They returned fire and hit the suspect in the chest leading to his death.
The Police observed that the suspect was in two smocks, two pairs of trousers, a
pair of shoes and carried with him some talisman and other objects. ASP Gyenning
opined that this was how the robber disguises himself after successfully carrying
out a robbery operation.
“He obviously quickly changes into another outfit so that he would not be easily
identified after he has completed a robbery operation” he said.
The Police found on him a submachine gun (SMG Uzi) with six live bullets. His tummy
also spotted several long lines believed to be marks of rituals he went through to
fortify himself against gun-shots. The body has since been deposited at the Police
Hospital for autopsy. ASP Gyenning called on those who may know the suspect to come
and identify the body.
“We would continue to clamp down on crime in the region till they (criminals) label
Tema as ‘No crime zone’. Let me sound this note of caution to all armed robbers that
we are ever ready for them, come rain or shine. They should therefore advise
themselves and quit the practice now” he cautioned.
ASP Augustine Gyenning however encouraged the general public to assist the Police
with any information they have on criminals in order for Police to continue their
service to the nation.