Notorious armed robber killed in gunshot exchange

A notorious armed robber, has been killed in an exchange of gun shots with the Police at Dakio, near Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region.

The deceased known as Apusiga Atambasi, 30 years old, is alleged to have been terrorizing the homes of citizens and residents in the Bolgatanga Municipality and beyond with sophisticated weapons and sometimes killing some innocent people and taking away their properties.

Briefing the Media in Bolgatanga on Thursday, the Regional Police Commander, DCOP Simon Yaw-Afeku, said the police had a tip off at about 15:45 hours on Wednesday that the criminal had been shot in the leg by an unidentified person and was receiving treatment at a traditional healer’s house at Dakio.

He said a Police team was dispatched to the traditional healer’s house and upon entering the house the criminal started shooting at the police who attempted to demobilize him but he got killed in the process.

The Police Command stated that upon investigation, it was revealed that the deceased was an ex-convict and had been on the wanted bench warrants in Bolgatanga and Sunyani for some time.

DCOP Yaw-Afeku said the deceased had sophisticated weapons with him always even when he is sleeping and used the weapons in carrying out his nefarious activities particularly threatening people at gun point and taking away their properties.

The Police Commander warned that the Police would continue to wage a relentless war to get rid of such criminals from the Region, and entreated communities not to harbour criminals but to provide information about them to help maintain law and order in the Region.

He warned traditional healers to be mindful of the people they receive for treatment to avoid being caught by the law.

The DCOP who expressed regret about the death of the criminal, explained that it was the duty of the police to protect everybody including criminals, but said when the police is met with dangerous resistance by criminals, they have to defend themselves.

The Police retrieved a gun, heavy metal hammer and other sophisticated weapons upon mounting a search on the deceased who has been deposited at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital morgue.

The three accomplishes who have also been arrested and are in police custody are Emmanuel Anaba 17, the traditional healer, Abire Ayinguda 33, the landlord and Paul Anafo , 21, charged for offensive conduct.

Most citizens and residents in the Bolgatanga Municipal and its environs who spoke to the GNA commended the Police for the good job.