Residents of Afram Plains North District in the Eastern region have expressed disappointment in the police for failing to protect when it matters most.
This follows a recent armed robbery attack on passengers traveling from Agordeke to Donkokrom last Wednesday 6th May, 2020.
About 10 armed robbers attacked four (4) vehicles with passengers at Asempaneye few meters from Amankwakrom in the Afram Plains District at about 5:00 pm and made away valuables including various sums of money, mobile phones, ATM and visa cards, ID cards among others.
The robbers vandalized the windscreens and parts of some of the vehicles amidst gunshots.
Some drivers and passengers who were attacked made a passionate appeal to the IGP, government and the Ghana Police Service to come to their aid.
According to one driver who gave his name as Kojo, those who managed to escape the robbery reported the case to the nearby Amankwakrom police but they failed to show up with the excuse that they lack personnel, vehicle and the necessary logistics for such exercise.
The victims who were travelling back from Agordeke to Donkokrom and neighboring villages after the day’s market activities at Kpando across the Afram River and Agordeke recounted that they spotted a motorbike lying in the middle of the roads just before entering Asempaneye.
This compelled the drivers to slow down thinking it was an accident situation.
The robbers who had laid ambush immediately came out from their hideouts in the nearby bushes and ordered everybody to get out from the vehicles and surrender all their personal effects including monies.
They fired several gunshots into the air and directed at the vehicle and wounded a middle age woman in the process.
The robbers then bolted into the bush after the incidence which lasted about five minutes.
None of the victims however reported the case to the police for lack of confidence in the police to protect them and ensure justice.
One victim Kwasi, he already has two reported cases of a threat on his life and a theft of his belongings pending before the police and since there is no indication of commitment by the police to ensure justice, he sees no reason in reporting the armed robbery incidence to the same police.
Residents of the area are therefore appealing to the Eastern Regional Police Command and the Inspector General of Police to come to their aid as a matter of urgency by posting men who will be responsive to their safety at all times.
Some recalled an armed robbery incidence in 2016 where police officers were involved and feared same could be the case urging the need for prompt action by the Police hierarchy to protect them.
A Police Officer at the Donkokrom Divisional Office who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the narration given by the victims of the robbery incident.
He also affirmed the Amankwakrom police could not run to the aid of the victims because they lacked logistics whiles officers from Donkokrom arrived late to the venue due to the poor nature of the road.
The officer however assured that the police is committed to protecting residents of the area and investigation has started. He urged the public to volunteer information for the arrest of the perpetrators whiles assuring whistle blowers will be protected.
