The Acting Director General for Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori, has disclosed that the new Police Administration has decided to deal with violent crimes in the country, notably the robbery activities in the Bono East and the Northern Corridor.
Speaking on the recent crime rate on the various routes, he explained that the concentration being in these hotspot areas is as a result of the traders who ply the roads.
“Looking at the Northern corridor and the Bono area, they are areas where we bring a lot of our farm products from and as such traders and all kinds of business men troop to these places to trade. Even some go to the extent of Burkina going for other perishable items for the market”.
ACP Kwesi Ofori
Mr. Ofori further said due to these activities, armed robbers have taken advantage of that knowing these traders carry a lot of money on them as they go to these trading centers.
“This is one of the key features and these robbers go in to attack them and take their monies away”.
ACP Kwesi Ofori
He therefore intimated that, it is the desire of the Police administration to halt these robbery activities on these stretches and other places as well.
Special anti-robbery team deployed
ACP Ofori also revealed that the Acting Inspector General of Police and the Police administration have put up a strong special anti-robbery SWAT taskforce who have been deployed in the aforementioned areas.
“They’ve been placed there so they deal with the robbers first and foremost. They will also organize, arrest and prosecute them. Again, they will make sure that the routes are safe for commuters, drivers and whoever passes through and make Police visible and present. And at the end of it all, put up Police authority and primacy on the ground”.
ACP Kwesi Ofori
He again indicated that the commanders at the top realm have been to these hotspots to assess the situation and have offered their support and logistics have been provided.
“But at the end of it all, effort is also being made to build the capacity of the Bono East region, the Northern regions and that of Eastern. The forces are going through vigorous training in terms of combats to make them ready to deal with the robbery situation”.
ACP Kwesi Ofori
Touching on the intelligence-led interventions to be used, he stated that the method [which he wouldn’t disclose] used in the nabbing of the robbers suspected to have killed the international journalist will be employed in this operation the service is embarking on.
Update on Syed Taaley Ahmed’s death
Also giving further update on the investigation in relation to the killing of international Journalist, Syed Taaley Ahmed, he stated that two of the six suspects who were arrested have been shot dead after a banter with the Police.
“Two decided to unleash violence on the Police and they were shot and killed. Four others were arrested and they are now assisting our investigation team to get to the bottom of the case. We’ve also arrested 21 people transporting arms in certain parts of Afram plains. They are also in custody assisting investigation”.
ACP Kwesi Ofori
