Kumasi, Nov 4, GNA - Armed police officers are to be deployed on long distance buses as part of measures to tackle the growing highway robberies.

A statement signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Patrick E. Timbillah, Ashanti Regional Commander, said this takes immediate effect.

The decision followed exhaustive discussions held with major transport operators in the region.

The statement appealed for support and co-operation of passengers, especially when there is any intervention to address a security emergency in the course of the journey.

Again it appealed to travelers not to hesitate to alert the police of any suspicious movement by any person or group by calling the police hotlines.

It gave the hotlines as follows: 03220-22323 and 03220-26220 for Kumasi and 0302-773695 and 0302-773906 for Accra.

The measures come in the wake of the raging controversy over allegations of armed attack and mass rape of passengers on a Tamale-bound passenger bus.