Armed robbers terrorize Kumasi residents

Night life in the Kumasi Metropolis is becoming dangerous by the day as residents are now tasting a bit of hell and constantly living in fear, following the resurgence of armed robbers.

The target groups of these gangs are commuters and taxi drivers who work in the night.

Reports of their activities have sent waves of fear among most of the residents.

The Chronicle intelligence has gathered that within a matter of one week, more than ten taxi drivers, excluding pedestrians, had been attacked and robbed of their cars, as well as personal belongings like mobile phones, wrist watches and their day?s sales.

The criminals, who operate in gangs, have made Adum-Nsuase, Amakom and Kaase in particular, their target zones to terrorize citizens and rob them of their possessions.

Afred Owusu, Chairman of the Adum Town Council and the Assemblyman for the Nsuase electoral area, when contacted by The Chronicle, confirmed the story and indicated that he had personally made several complaints to the Ashanti Regional Police Buffalo unit, but so far, no action had been made to clamp down the robbers.

According to him, he had once had to stay at the station for the whole day, only to be told by Buabeng of the Buffalo unit, who had earlier promised to assist by giving out personnel from his outfit, that victims of the robbers should lodge a formal complaint before any action could be taken.

Responding to the accusation, the Regional Crime Officer, Chief Supt. Paul Frimpong Siaw stated that the police could not get personnel to patrol all over the place except in emergency situations that called for police intervention.

According to him, it would be better for the affected communities to form neighbourhood watchdog committees and patrol at night to complement the police in flushing out these societal deviants so that the citizens could enjoy peace.

He indicated the preparedness of the police to assist in such a move but was quick to point out, ?There is nothing we (the police) can do about these developments besides what I have suggested.?

Meanwhile, the Railway police station is located right at Adum-Nsuase, where some of the robbers are said to be residing.

The residents believed the police officer in charge of the station was aware of what was happening but had decided not to act, thus giving the robbers a field day.

They have, therefore, called on the Regional Security Council, as a matter of urgency, to act swiftly to ensure peace and order.