Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - A gang of suspected armed robbers, who allegedly robbed bullion vans, snatched police weapons and killed two policemen, have been arrested by the Greater Accra Regional Police.

They allegedly robbed Madina branch of ECOBANK, Ga Rural Bank at Taifa, Saint John's Forex Bureau in Accra, Tema Iron and Paint Company, Sethi Brothers Company, Tema Community One Forex Bureau and Atala Company Limited at Achimota.

They were allegedly responsible for Spintex Road (Accra) shooting incident in which a Toyota pick-up belonging to National Security was snatched and the Lashibi-Klagon area bullion robbery.

Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, Mrs Rose Bio Atenga, addressing a press conference, organised by the Police Administration in Accra, said the Police mounted surveillance following a tip-off by an informant that some people with suspicious characters were living in a two-bedroom house at Agbogba, a suburb in Accra.

She said the Police arrested a young man and a lady in the house and after questioning them, they led the Police to arrest Kofi Afoakwa, who was on admission at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, as the person who sent them to the house.

Mrs Bio Atenga said Afoakwa also known as Rasta or "Not Nice" had been on the Police wanted list for a very long time.

She said on November 6, this year, three suspects including Afoakwa's elder brother Yaw Afoakwa also known as "Dadisen", a suspected notorious criminal, also on the Police wanted list visited Afoakwa at the hospital. Mrs Bio Atenga said Afoakwa was referred to the Police Hospital in Accra for further treatment and all the other suspects who were arrested were brought to Accra.

Other suspects arrested included Awudu, Dropam, Kingsley Lawani, Benin Boy, Dotse Babanawo, CK and Isaac.

Isaac Oppong, an Ashiaman-based driver was arrested as an accomplice in robberies committed within Tema Municipality.

Mrs Bio Atenga said an armed robber by name Thunder who attempted to shoot at some Police personnel was shot by the Police.

She said items found in Thunder's house included an AK47 rifle which was snatched from a Policeman at Agbogba, a 4x4 Ford vehicle, P38 pistols, a locally made pistol, a motor bike, five vehicle number plates with the following registration numbers: GT8682Z, GR 5808 V, GT 2674 T, and a Togo Number plat A1 5895TG.

Other items were a police cap, a pair of military camouflage trousers, an airborne force beret, a military top vest with the inscription US Army, a military raincoat, 26 half-pieces of cloth, identity cards and other documents.

Inspector General of Police, Mr Paul Quaye, called on Ghanaians to provide the Police with information to facilitate the arrest of criminals. "Everybody's contribution constitutes an essential input in the crusade against crime. We therefore, invite all identifiable stakeholder groups and institutions as key partners to help strategise to stem the tide of criminality in the communities," he said. Mr Quaye called on the authorities at the universities, research institutions, the courts, prisons, Department of Social Welfare and individuals with requisite professional training in dealing with social delinquencies to help solve crime related problems.

"We cannot continue to scratch the surface of the problem without getting to the roots. We know that rehabilitation and reformation is a challenge for the prisons service," Mr Quaye said. However, he said there had been a drastic reduction in armed robberies in the country. 9 Nov. 09