The police have shot dead a suspected armed robber at Achimota Forest in Accra.
The deceased robber, who is yet to be identified, was said to have attacked and robbed two victims, and in an attempt to escape into the forest, the police shot him.
The police said they attempted to demobilise him before arresting him but in the process, he was hit by a bullet and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Police Hospital in Accra.
The Accra Regional Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Efia Tenge, who confirmed the death to DAILY GUIDE, said around 9pm on Wednesday January 27, 2021, the suspect, armed with a knife emerged from the Achimota Forest Reserve and snatched a passerby’s mobile phone after which he escaped into the forest.
She said police personnel on snap check duties at Achimota CP Roundabout were called in for assistance.
“The Police laid ambush around the edge of the forest and not long after, suspect emerged again from another side of the forest to attack another victim at knife point,” DSP Tenge disclosed.
She said the second victim had alighted from a passenger vehicle and was walking along the road when suddenly the suspect pounced on her and attacked her, snatching her mobile phone in the process.
“In an attempt to run back into the forest, the police pursued him and shot him, targeting his legs to demobilise him,” DSP Tenge explained.
She said the suspect was later rushed to the Police Hospital for treatment but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The Sony Xperia mobile phone that the suspect snatched from the second victim was retrieved from the deceased after he was shot,” the Police PRO added.
DSP Tenge admitted that robbery incidence on that stretch of the road had become rampant because the robbers were using the forest to commit all sorts of crime, but added that the police would do everything possible to contain the situation.
The Accra Regional Police PRO said several victims have had their bags and other valuables snatched by such miscreants, saying, “Last year the police arrested five of such persons, two have been jailed while three others are still facing trial in the law court.”
By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey