An aerial view of Paraku Estate, Atasemanso in Kumasi
RESIDENTS OF Atasemanso in the Nhyiaeso Constituency in Kumasi are reported to be living in fear as armed robbers have been terrorising them, lately.
According to reports reaching the paper, these hoodlums, who come from different parts of Kumasi, usually move with unregistered motorbikes and rob their victims at gun-point.
The suspected robbers, who are virtually having a field’s day in the vast community, usually target people who walk in isolation in quiet and dark places.
These criminals operate morning and evening shifts. In the morning, they start their illegal operations from 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. The evening shift starts from 7 p.m.
Numerous people in Atasemanso, notably women who go to the market early in morning to trade, are said to have fallen victims to these hoodlums, who are operating freely now.
According to information available to the paper, the criminals have in the last few days extended their operations to Paraku Estate and Nhyiaeso, all in the Nhyiaeso Constituency.
A man, who gave his name only as Kofi, a resident of Paraku Estate, sadly, said that “we can no longer go to work early in the morning because of the presence of these criminals.
“A lot of people have lost their money, mobile phones and other valuables to these criminals, who are young and energetic. We are all afraid to step out early in the morning.”
Kofi also disclosed that the criminals intensify their illegal operations in the area in the evening from 7 p.m. when there is total darkness, noting that they are now living in fear.
He said what surprises him most is the fact that nobody seemed to care about what is going on even though Paraku Estate, Atasemanso and Nhyiaeso are rich communities.
“All the top traditional leaders, big time politicians, including former presidents, Members of Parliament (MPs) and business moguls in Kumasi live in these nice communities.
“But, strangely, the robbers are operating freely without anyone preventing them,” he openly lamented, adding that the police in the city are not working as expected of them.
Kofi passionately appealed to the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC), especially the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to come to their aid.
“The police in the region have virtually abandoned us, as the hoodlums have been tormenting us, so the Regional Minister, who is the head of REGSEC, is now only hope,” he stated.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah, Kumasi