Apostle Hooper appeals for Police protection

Gomoa Buduatta-Junction (C/R), July 24, GNA - Apostle Jones Hooper, Founder of the Gesthamane Prayer Camp at Gomoa Buduatta-Junction, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to ensure his protection from armed robbers.

He stated that on April 6, 2006, six masked armed men attacked him and his family at midnight, shot him and inflicted cutlass wounds on his left arm and took away a 28-inch colour Television Set, Video Deck, eight sheep, three suitcases full of personal effects and 4.5 million cedis cash.

Apostle Hooper alleged that after the robbery, the armed men removed their masks and asked him to "see" one Kojo Panyin at Gomoa Ojobi, who they said had sent them to kill him because his camp was on a piece of land that his uncle sold to him but wanted it back. According to the Apostle, he reported the matter to the Awutu Bereku Police, who arrested Kojo Panyin but granted him bail, saying they were investigating the incident.

Waiting for sometime without hearing any development from the Awutu-Police, he forwarded his case to the Swedru Divisional Police Command.

Apostle Hooper told newsmen that the Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Nat Acquah, assured him that personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) would be despatched to Buduatta-Junction for investigations after, which the docket would be sent to Attorney-General Department for advice.

He stated that while waiting for the outcome of the investigations, armed men once again besieged his house threatening that they would "strike again".

In a related development, the Pastor in-charge of the Awutu Bereku New Apostolic Church, the Reverend David Essel, who resides within the vicinity, has also appealed for security from armed robbers who had made many attempts on him and his family.