Last month, there were several robbery cases mostly in the national capital, creating uneasiness among Ghanaians.

The Vice President however said initiatives taken by government to address the security threat, are yielding positive results.

[contextly_sidebar id=”BTo35SObAq37EZo6Nd1NmVkOJPMFyuL1″]“With the recent increase in armed robberies that happened, you saw government moved very quickly to try to address the situation with an enhanced Operation ‘Calm Life’. Ultimately, we are seeing a reduction especially in the urban areas of that type of armed robbery so from the broader point of view government is doing something about it” he noted.

Speaking at a youth entrepreneurial forum in Accra, Dr. Bawumia further stated that government will ensure that businesses are protected from robbery attacks.

The first quarter of the year has seen a number of armed robbery incidents, some of which have been carried out in  forex bureaus.

A few weeks ago, two persons were reported to have sustained gunshot wounds from suspected robbers who appeared to be in a fleeing crime scene.

In that same week, some armed men stormed Royal Motors, an automobile company in Accra, making away with the company’s sales, while a Lebanese national of Delta Agro, a plastics manufacturing firm in Tema, was also shot dead by robbers and his Ghc200, 000 stolen after he had withdrawn the money from a bank in the Tema Heavy Industrial area to pay workers.

There have also been several complaints from Ghanaians in other parts of the country who say armed robbers have been terrorizing them without any help from the police.

These series of attacks triggered calls from the Minority and some Ghanaians for the IGP to be sacked for failing to protect the citizenry.

The Police administration responded to these calls with a major reshuffle which saw the Director General of Police Operations, George Akuffo Dampare, being reassigned to head the Research and Planning Department, while nine others were also reassigned to take up various positions across the country.

Government also revamped the already existing ‘Operation Calm Life’ initiative comprising police officers and military personnel, aimed at combating criminal activities across the country.

–

By: Marian Ansah & Sammy Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @EfeAnsah

The post We’ve reduced armed robbery attacks – Bawumia appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The suspects; Inusah Braimah, 34, Iddrisu Amidu alias Jogo, 34, Hamidu Zonogor, 48, Kofi Bukari alias Mipellar, 42 and Musah Haruna, allegedly attacked and robbed the Total Fuel station on Friday 2^nd March,2018.

Background

[contextly_sidebar id=”X7QU9F9HJdlcBxFv10fE3ogR2oRClbE3″]Police at Asante Mampong had information that some suspected armed robbers numbering about six (6) had attacked and were robbing attendants at the Mampong Bosofour Total Fuel Station.

Police proceeded to crime scene, but the robbers had already left the scene leaving Davis Frimpong the Branch Manager station with injuries in the head.

The victim who was rushed to the Hospital informed police that five (5) men who were wielding machetes attacked the station at about 6:30 pm, and robbed them of cash sum of Eleven Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc 11,000) and five assorted mobile phones amidst gun shots.

An immediate search conducted by police at the scene revealed six (6) empty Supreme FTB BB and AAA, 32GR 70 MM cartridges.

The police patrol team after leaving the fuel station extended their patrols towards Mampong-Ejura road.

In the process, the team spotted an Opel Astra Taxi Cab with registration number GW 9311 V with two occupants on board at Kofiase junction.

The team became suspicious and approached them, but one of the occupants escaped leaving Inusah Braimah who was driver of the vehicle.

A search was immediately conducted on him in the Taxi Cab and the Eleven Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc 11,000) was found on him.

Suspect Braimah admitted to the crime and led Police to a nearby bush to retrieve two(2) shot guns, eleven live Supreme FTB BB and AAA, 32 GR 70MM cartridges and two torch lights.

The police also found two pair of trousers in the bush which the suspect admitted as one of the pair of trousers to be his, and the other belonging to his other accomplice known as Kofi Bukari.

Press Briefing

Addressing journalists in Kumasi, Ashanti Regional Police Commander, COP Ken Yeboah, said suspect Braimah led police to arrest the other accomplices at Memenaso near Ejura in the Brong Ahafo Region on 10^th March, 2018.

He said efforts are underway to arrest other members of the gang.

This arrest comes at a time when similar robberies have occurred in other parts of the country, raising concerns about general insecurity.

The police administration has stepped up efforts to reduce the robberies by arresting perpetrators and making sure they face the full rigours of the law.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/Citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post 5 arrested over Asante Mampong fuel station robbery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Kwaku Abora was found dead on a mat on top of the first floor of the Fuel Station building under construction, after the robbery incident on Saturday, 10^th March 2018.

[contextly_sidebar id=”YlVHp6dUn3Lhz05svaq5IcutWxV6aqh6″]His hands and legs were tied with rags and some stuck in his mouth.

Manager of the Fuel Station, Osei Antwi, narrating the incident to Citi News explained that the incident happened amidst heavy rains when the lights were off.

He said the suspects used a wooden ladder to climb onto where the security guard was sleeping and tied him up.

He further explained that the assailants disconnected the Solar panel that was supplying power to the facility and broke into the offices.

He added that they reconnected power to the facility by using a generator set in one of the offices.

The manager indicated that the suspects broke two metal safes with concrete around them and emptied the cash in them.

Mr. Antwi told Citi News that the suspects made away with an estimated amount of 50,000 Ghana Cedis.

“Since the incident happened, I feel so uncomfortable coming to work. I feel so insecure. The security here is not encouraging. Though the police patrols along this stretch, it is not effective. Even the patrol vehicle they use is not in a good shape. Something must be done about our security”.

The suspects took away the CCTV recording gadgets after they ransacked the Manager’s office.

They also took away an SB shot gun belonging to the security guard.

The deceased’s wife, Ataa Mary, wants the police to arrest the perpetrators and punish them severely.

“I fainted when I heard the news about my husband’s death. I am appealing to the Police to arrest the persons behind this dastardly act and let the law deal with them. My worry is how to raise the three children my husband left behind,” she sobbed.

The body has been deposited at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) morgue.

Meanwhile, the Suame Divisional Police Command has confirmed the incident, saying they have begun investigations into it.

This incident comes at a time when similar robberies have occurred in other parts of the country, raising concerns about general insecurity.

The police administration has stepped up efforts to reduce the robberies by arresting perpetrators and making sure they face the full rigours of the law.

–

By: Hafiz Tijani/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Ashanti Region: Security guard killed in fuel station robbery appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This he explained would help the children cope with their traumatic experiences and get back to their regular lives.

[contextly_sidebar id=”phbZMu8ZsgPupE1uD4eAogauIvSrpHRD”]“Whether the children are at a lesser age or older age, there are fewer things at can be done to them, and I think if we take into consideration the need for children to get help in a traumatic situation, then we will be able to succeed in helping them,” he said.

According to him, children who have been traumatized by armed robbery incidents should be given the opportunity to re-account the incidents, in that it will help them unbottle any emotion that might damage them.

He said extra attention should be given to any behavioral or attitudinal changes in the children.

“In such situations, you need to engage the child but you must watch the child’s demeanour, if he or she is isolating him or herself, you must know how to approach, if he or she needs to be carried or held, you must also determine that by your approach and allow the child to re-narrate the situation the child has gone through,” he said.

He also noted that the public should be educated on how to relate and understand children or people who have been in a traumatic situation.

Unfortunately, some children had bitter experiences from some of the reported recent armed robbery attacks in parts of the country.

There appears to be an increase in robbery cases in recent times, including brazen attacks on individuals and organizations in broad daylight.

A number of arrests have been made with the cases still being investigated.
–

By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Children traumatized during robberies need counselling – Psychologist appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Speaking at the 61st Independence Day celebration held at the Black Star Square, the President said: “As your President, this is an obligation I accept and I am determined to discharge faithfully. I will work to ensure that citizens are able to go about their daily duties in the confidence that they are safe.”

[contextly_sidebar id=”e22HAZSqVtzDaBAbDuOkKzbLjP8sBnAn”]The President’s comments come in the wake of a heightened wave of robbery attacks with the recent one involving a Lebanese who was shot and killed at Tema Industrial Area last week with the assailants making away with GHC 200,000 he had withdrawn from the bank.

A number of other incidents have also involved brazen attacks by robbers on individuals and organisations in broad daylight.

Describing these attacks as “totally unacceptable”, the President warned that “no miscreant will have the space to terrorize citizens and generate a sense of insecurity” in the country.

The President also reminded the Police of its primary responsibility of maintaining peace and keeping law and order in the country with the backing of the armed forces.

He was however quick to add that a collaborative effort between the Police and the citizenry will enable the former in closing in on persons involved in these robbery attacks.

“We should not forget that the Police needs the help and support of the community to be able to do their work. We dare not lose our reputation as a haven of peace and security. I urge you all to join in making sure there is no hiding place in our midst for those who would disturb our peace. For my part, I will do whatever is necessary, within the confines of the Constitution and the laws of the land, to ensure the peace of our country.”

As part of efforts to reduce these cases, the President on Monday met with security heads to deliberate on effective measures of fighting crime.

After deliberations, the President ordered the Finance Ministry to release some funds for the purchase of equipment for various security agencies.

Additionally, the President, also directed that the joint Police and Military under the ‘Operation Calm Life’ initiative, be intensified to cover every part of the country.

President Nana Addo’s promise to intensify security appears to be a reiteration of what the Vice President, Mahamadu Bawumia had said earlier when he joined Muslim faithfuls for Jumah prayers last Friday.

–

By: Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘No miscreant will be allowed to terrorize citizens’ – Nana Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Additionally, the President has also directed that the joint Police and Military under the ‘Operation Calm Life’ initiative, be intensified to cover every part of the country.

The directives were issued following a meeting  on Monday between the President and some security chiefs to deliberate on the recent upsurge in armed robbery activities in some parts of the country.

Citi News sources say the President also endorsed the unannounced swoops in areas suspected to be hideouts of criminals in the country.

It is recalled that the President in his 2018 state of the nation address, announced that an amount of 800 million Ghana cedis will be spent on re-tooling the Police Service.

Wave of robbery

There appears to be a heightened wave of robbery attacks in the country with the past week recording some of the worst cases.

A number of incidents have involved brazen attacks by robbers on individuals and organisations in broad daylight.

A Lebanese was shot and killed at Tema Industrial Area last week with the assailants making away with GHS 200,000 he had withdrawn from the bank.

Recent arrests

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante Apeatu, announced earlier last week that the police arrested a group of suspected robbers believed to be behind attacks on about 20 forex bureaux around the Spintex road area in just 2018.

The attacks on these Forex Bureaux were growing number of robberies and high-profile criminal activity in the region.

Mobile money transfer points have also been targeted by robbers in recent times.

Police shake-up

These incidents have prompted members of the public and some MPs to call for some of the heads of the security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu.

The IGP has responded with a major reshuffle in the Service, with several officers given new assignments.

Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Director General of Police Operations, was reassigned to head the Research and Planning Department.

He was replaced immediately by the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku.

Nine others were also reassigned to take up various positions across the country.

–

By: Marian Ansah & Sammy Wiafe/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo orders release of funds to fight crime appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, despite the significant spike in robbery attacks across the country in the first two months of the year, the government had put measures in place to ensure that the menace is curbed and that a drop in robbery-related incidents is recorded from March.

[contextly_sidebar id=”aA0eqOAWZItAj8sQ61sU6b6OSDoz2w7x”]“Going forward from March to the end of the year, at least we would experience a sharp drop, in armed robbery. We would not be experiencing these incidents. I am just trying to explain that the government has control. Currently, the Police Service has control.We are going to put in enough resources to sustain it, which will fit nicely into our general security plans for the year to drop the crime rate from 200,000 to under 150,000, so we have control of the situation,” he said.

He revealed that over the last four years there had been a steady rise in the number of reported armed robbery cases, suggesting that the issue wasn’t limited to the current administration.

Speaking on Citi FM’s news and current affairs programme, The Big Issue, Bryan Acheampong said the situation is worrying and has gotten the attention of government.

Bryan Acheampong added that measures announced by the government to address the robbery situation are yielding positive results.

‘Wave of robbery’

There appears to be a heightened wave of robbery attacks in the country with this week being some of the worst cases reported in weeks.

A number of incidents have involved brazen attacks by the robbers on individuals organisations in broad daylight.

A Lebanese was shot and killed at Tema Industrial Area this week with the assailants making away with GHS 200,000 he had withdrawn from a bank minutes earlier.

Recent arrests

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante Apeatu, announced earlier this week that the police arrested a group of suspected robbers believed to be behind attacks on about 20 forex bureaux in the Spintex road area in just 2018.

The attacks on these Forex Bureaux were growing number of robberies and high-profile criminal activity in the region.

Mobile money transfer points have also been targeted by robbers in recent times.

Police shake-up

These incidents have prompted members of the public and the Minority to call for some of the heads of the security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu, to be sacked.

The IGP has responded with a major reshuffle in the Service, with several officers given new assignments.

Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Director General of Police Operations, has been reassigned to head the Research and Planning Department.

He is to be replaced immediately by the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku.

Nine others have also been reassigned to take up various positions across the country.

–

By: Farida Yusif/citifmonline.com

The post Gov’t reiterates commitment to address upsurge in crime appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to him, armed robbers will be deterred from operating if they notice high police presence in the crime-prone areas.

[contextly_sidebar id=”chNGUK4ZZn1SME2WYWfV0xD1mKXXUyoa”]Speaking on The Big Issue on Saturday, the Tamale Central legislator said the police must ensure it recruits more credible individuals into the force to enable it to enhance its visibility across the country.

His comment comes in the wake of recent robbery incidents that have generated massive public discourse recently and provoked a sense of heightened insecurity.

Inusah Fuseini said: “An armed robber or a person predisposed to committing a crime will think twice if he looks everywhere and sees somebody in uniform. Because the likelihood of him being arrested when committing a crime is high so he might think twice. That alone can bring down crime. We must look at the visibility of the police. Get the police everywhere. Recruit more, and let us see them.”

‘Security is a collective effort’

He further advocated for public sensitization on the need to be security conscious and assist the police in rooting out crime.

He told the host, Selorm Adonoo that security challenges in the country must not be perceived to be as one the police or security agencies are solely responsible for.

According to him, the challenges are collective and citizens must join forces with the security agencies to help solve it.

“The armed robbers have become more daring not because you have moved them from being landguards. It is because they know we fear, and we don’t regard security as collective problem…. We are looking at it as if it is a security agencies problem. Armed robbers do not live outside our communities, they live within our communities and we know people who behave suspiciously,” he said.

The has been a series of robbery attacks on unsuspecting Ghanaians and companies in recent months.

Mobile money vendors and forex bureaux appear to be most the targeted in the operations.

On Tuesday, there were two robbery attacks in the North Kaneshie area which left some persons injured.

A Lebanese businessman was on Wednesday shot and killed by a group of armed robbers in broad daylight at the Tema Industrial Area after he withdrew some amount of money from a bank. The robbers made away with GH¢200,000 in that operation.

There have also been a number of robbery attacks in some parts of Accra and Koforidua in recent days.

Arrested and killed

The Police have made a number of arrests in recent days as they seek to assure the public that they remain in control of the security situation in the country.

Two suspected armed robbers in two separate raids in Accra earlier in the week.

One of the suspects, Mohammed Iddrisu Ziblim, 24 years, was arrested on his way back from a robbery operation.

Some items retrieved from the two suspects include two pistols, one G3 rifle, 15 rounds of ammunition, two face masks, two pairs of hand gloves, a pair of scissors, a machete, five mobile phones and a bag.

In the Eastern Region six people have been arrested in connection with series of robberies in the New Juaben Municipality and its surrounding areas.

Police shake-up

These incidents have prompted members of the public and the Minority to call for some of the heads of the security agencies, including the Inspector General of Police, David Asante-Apeatu, to be sacked.

The IGP has responded with a major reshuffle in the Service, with several officers given new assignments.

Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, Director General of Police Operations, has been reassigned to head the Research and Planning Department.

He is to be replaced immediately by the Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Afeku.

Nine others have also been reassigned to take up various positions across the country.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Increase police visibility to deter robbers – Inusah Fuseini appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

These measures according to government include greater collaboration between the security agencies in order to aid intelligence gathering and crime prevention, while manpower challenges are being addressed.

Ghanaians have therefore been urged to play a watchdog role and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities for the necessary actions to be taken.

Vice President, Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, gave the assurance when he joined Muslim faithful for Jumah prayers on Friday March 2, 2018 at the Central Mosque, Abbosey Okai, Accra, as part of activities marking Ghana’s 61st Independence Anniversary, which falls on Tuesday March 6, 2018.

The past week has seen a rash of brazen armed robberies, with two lives lost and a number of injuries recorded.

After an emergency National Security Council meeting on Thursday March 1, the Inspector General of Police announced a reshuffle in the top hierarchy of the Police administration to put a sharper edge to their operations.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Minister for Information, Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, also announced a number of crime prevention measures including increased Police cum Military patrols, installation of more CCTV Cameras and street lights in crime-prone areas.

In brief remarks after the Friday prayers, Dr. Bawumia indicated that President Akufo-Addo is receiving up to the minute briefings on the situation and government would provide the necessary logistics and resources to the security agencies to ensure there is peace and stability.

“I want to assure the general public that the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is fully apprised of developments and what is going on. I’m in constant contact with him and the recent spate of armed robberies, which are of concern to everybody is of concern to him, and this is why we are taking the measures that we are taking to restore the stability and security of this nation.”

“We ask for the cooperation of the general public as we and the security forces undertake these operations and Insha Allah they will be successful. We will make sure that every resource is provided for successful operations. Ghana, we are known for our peace and stability and we are going to make sure we maintain that. We pray to Allah to continue to give us peace and stability in Ghana and allow the country to move forward,” he added.

–

By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post ‘We’ll strengthen Ghana’s security’ – Bawumia appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Police, the two, Raymond, alias Dragon, and Kwame alias Mafia, are suspected to be part of a syndicate that robbed a fuel station at Haatso in Accra.

They are believed to have also been involved in the attack on the Kwabenya District Police station which led to some 7 inmates being freed and the killing of a police officer, Inspector Emmanuel Ashilevi.

Briefing the press at the Greater Accra Police Headquarters, the Accra Regional Police Commander, DCOP George Alex Mensah, sounded a stern warning to robbers that the police will meet them boot for boot.

In a similar development, three suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent cases of armed robbery attacks in the country.

Two of them snatched cars in Kumasi, while one is said to have been involved in the robbery attack on Royal Motors in the North Industrial Area.

Robbers on rampage

This week has seen a number of robbery incidents in the Accra, one on a Forex Bureaux at Spintex and two daylight robberies in the North Kaneshie area.

Two persons are reported to have sustained gunshot wounds from suspected robbers who appeared to be fleeing a crime scene.

Gunfire was first heard in the area around a Latex Foam showroom at North Kaneshie where the robbers had crashed their vehicle. Two persons have since been arrested in connection with the incident.

Also on Tuesday morning, armed men stormed Royal Motors, an automobile company in Accra, making away with the company’s sales.

Eyewitnesses reported that the robbers trailed a bullion van that had entered the Industrial Area premises of the company to collect the company’s sales made the previous day.

On Wednesday, a Lebanese national of Delta Agro, a plastics manufacturing firm in Tema, was shot dead by robbers and his Ghc200, 000 stolen after he had withdrawn the money from a Zenith Bank branch in the Tema Heavy Industrial area to pay workers.

There have also been several complaints from Ghanaians in other parts of the country who say armed robbers have been terrorizing them without any help from the police.

Recent arrests

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), David Asante Appeatu, this week announced that the police have arrested a group of suspected robbers believed to be behind attacks on about 20 forex bureaux in the Spintex area in 2018.

The attacks on these Forex Bureaux were growing number of robberies and high-profile criminal activity in the region.

Mobile money transfer points have also been targeted by robbers in recent times.

‘We’re ready to die’

Despite these attacks some of which have also been recorded in Accra and Tema, COP George Akufo Dampare, who was Director of Operations until on Thursday when he was reassigned to the Research and Planning unit of the Police Service, has said although his outfit is logistically deficient, they are ready to put their lives on the line to ensure the safety of every Ghanaian.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show, Dampare also noted that the support of the citizens will go a long way to help the Police Service combat the increasing rate of crime in the country.

“We want to give them [citizens] the assurance that we will go every length, including losing our lives to make them safe. We understand that we are not there yet, in terms of the full complement of our equipment. We also understand that over the years, government after government has made an attempt to bring us to a particular level in terms of equipment,” he said.

–

By: Caleb Kudah & Marian Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Police gun down 2 suspected robbers at Haatso appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.