Asafo Group chases highway robbers

Hohoe, April 22, GNA - The Asafo groups and watch committee of

Akpafu-Odomi in the Hohoe Municipality incensed by the frequent

highway robbery along the Hohoe-Jasikan road have mounted man-hunt

for robbers who fled into the forest. Masked highway robbers in the early hours of Thursday barricaded the

Akpafu Odomi-Mempeasem section of the highway, subjecting commuters

to intimidation, physical abuse and vanishing into the forest with

unspecified cash, mobile phones and other valuables. Nana Tete Atu IV, Chief of Akpafu-Odomi told the Ghana News

Agency that the robbers run into the forest when they noticed the threat of

arrest. He said a cargo driver was robbed of GH¢1,700 and a mobile phone,

while other passengers suffered similar fate. Nana Atu said the Akpafu Odomi-Mempeasem and Odomi-Kyinahin

segments of the Hohoe-Jasikan highway had become a fertile grounds for

the robbers as more than five robberies had taken place in the area in 12

months. He said the community watch committee and the Asafo groups then

mobilised to fight back by combing the forests and bushes in a bid to

apprehend the robbers. Nana Atu said the community was adopting some measures to forestall

future occurrence and appealed to the Highway Police Patrol Team to

facilitate the efforts. He suggested the need for a police barrier or police post along the

section of the road. Mr Kwabena Otuo Acheampong, Hohoe Divisional Crime Officer of

the Ghana Police Service said the police patrol team would be deployed to

the area while other security measures would be taken to avoid future

occurrence. 22 April 11