A local scrap dealer, Mumuni Abubakar, has left Gomoa Ojobi community in the Central Region in disbelief after making off with over 200 cooking pots and coal pots in just one week.
Suspect Abubakar, in this bizarre crime spree, allegedly stole not only cooking pots but also utensils full of food on fire.
He has since been arrested by the Ojobi District Police Command to assist in investigations.
Reports said the thefts had begun quietly, with many residents noticing their cooking pots mysteriously disappearing during brief moments when they stepped away from their kitchens.
At first, people were baffled, dismissing the incidents as coincidence. However, as the thefts continued, suspicion grew, and a group of frustrated residents decided to investigate.
Their efforts led them to an uncompleted building where Abubakar was caught red-handed, hiding the stolen cookware, many of which were still filled with food.
The discovery was shocking, as residents realised that the scrap dealer was not only stealing their pots but also their meals.
Justice Soldier, an outspoken community leader, was furious at the brazen thefts. “This is an assault on our daily lives. We cannot let this continue. If authorities do not act, we will take matters into our own hands,” he warned.
He called for all scrap dealers in the area to be evicted, narrating that as the frequency of the thefts intensified, and whispers of a hidden thief spread throughout the community.
“Tired of the mounting frustration and helplessness, a group of vigilant residents decided to act. A search was organised, and their efforts soon led them to an uncompleted building where Abubakar was found hoarding the stolen goods. The shock was palpable when more than 200 cooking pots, all swiped from unsuspecting homes, were uncovered,” he recounted.
The arrest of Abubakar has shaken the community to its core, with many now demanding increased police presence.
“We cannot afford to let this happen again,” one local said, voicing the collective concern that this ongoing crime wave, driven by unscrupulous scrap dealers, was damaging their businesses and peace of mind.
By Ernest Kofi Adu