Armed robbery cases have reduced significantly – Police

The Ghana Police Service have disclosed that, armed robbery cases in the country have reduced based on their trend analysis for the last two months.

Speaking on Accra based citi fm today [Wednesday], the Director-General of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, ACP David Eklu, said ‘Operation Calm Life’ has dealt with robbery cases in the Northern, Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions.

His comment follows a robbery incident at Budumburam near Kasoa in the Central Region on Tuesday, during which two teenagers, including an eight-months pregnant girl, are alleged to have been raped by robbers during an attack.

The alleged rape victims, along with members of their families, were held hostage by 20 suspected robbers wielding guns and machetes, who subjected them to beatings.

The robbers, who carried out the operation between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am around the Bluerose Estate at Budumbumram, made away with a truckload of 20 cattle. The victims have indicated that they are living in fear following their gruesome ordeal which they claimed the police have ignored.

However, ACP David Eklu insists that the police’s analysis has shown a drop in the number of robbery cases.

“Our crime trend analysis, since we did a review of approaches and we set up certain strategy units like the police intelligence directorate, indicate that there has been a major breakthrough in terms of arrests and police visibility has also improved in the community not only in Accra but across the country,” he said.

There was an increase in robbery cases at the beginning of 2018 in areas like Oyarifa, Oyibi, Ashongman, but the Police PRO said even though the robbery cases between January and February were high, it has dwindled due to their efforts.

“Between January and February, we had daily bases robbery cases, but it has reduced to one or two cases on weekly basis,” he said.