The residents of Ogome, a suburb of Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality, have been living in fear lately as series of robberies rock the community.
The most recent incident occurred at 7pm on Monday, October 23, 2023 when four robbers, including a women, targeted a fuel station, GASO oil company, and a nearby Mobile Money vendor.
The robbers managed to escape with an undisclosed amount of money, as well as GH¢28,000 from the MoMo vendor who was just 200 meters away from the fuel station.
Eyewitnesses report that the whole incident lasted only eight minutes. In their attempt to flee the scene with their stolen loot, the robbers fired several shots with their pump-action gun, intimidating anyone who tried to intervene or come closer.
Tragically, four individuals were shot during the chaos, including the pump attendant and three others. One victim is presently in critical condition at the District Hospital in Komeshie, while the rest were rushed to the Somanya Polyclinic for treatment and have since been discharged.
Residents and customers in Somanya are shocked by the audacity of the robbers, as they had been experiencing a series of robberies on the roads leading to the town from Dodowa and Adukrom.
However, nobody expected such a brazen attack would unfold right within the township. Concerns have also been raised about the lack of security measures in place, as the gas station does not have any CCTV cameras to provide additional information to the police.
Furthermore, it has come to light that the Yilo Krobo police force does not have the necessary resources, such as pickup or motorbikes, to effectively patrol the main roads and the township. This lack of proper logistics is hindering their ability to prevent or respond to criminal activities in the area.
Local residents are now calling on the authorities to prioritize their safety by providing the necessary equipment and resources to the police force and implementing stricter security measures, such as the installation of CCTV cameras in vulnerable areas.
As the woman robber continues to terrorize the town, it is crucial for the local authorities to take immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
By Vincent Kubi