Seven more armed robbers arrested

Accra, Aug. 1, GNA - Seven Nigerian armed robbers operating in the Accra Metropolis have been nabbed by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command.

Three of the robbers, who were declared wanted and had been operating in developing areas of the city, were picked up on June 21, 2006. They are Joe Erzeh, Daniel Okolo and Uche Ekene Obi. The remaining four, who operated in different groups, are Amachi Oseneh, 24; Emmanuel Orosuen, 22; Emmanuel Shaga, 18, and John Michael, 21.

Briefing the media in Accra, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Douglas Akrofi-Asiedu, Greater Accra Regional Police Commander, recalled that a gang of 16 robbers had been terrorizing people in the Accra Metropolis.

He said during a Police operation two were shot dead while six, including the kingpin, Emmanuel Emeka also known as "Big Ifani", were nabbed.

ACP Aseidu-Akrofi said the Police had embarked on a massive search through the use of covert and overt methods to ensure the arrest of other members of the gang, who were still at large. The Regional Police Commander said Osenah, Shaga and Micheal were suspected to have a mounted robbery operation at Awoshie on June 29, 2006 using guns and cutlasses to rob their victims.

He said they made away with mobile phones, a laptop computer, DVD player, wax prints and a gold ring.

He lauded the intelligence operation mounted by the Regional Police Command and the efforts of one of the sons of the victims based in London, which led to the arrest of the suspects. The Regional Police Commander repeated his appeal to the public, especially hoteliers and landlords, to assist the Police by volunteering information about criminals.

According to him, the Police had still not apprehended "Promise", whom he described as fair in complexion; Obinna, Nneni and Mbasi also known as Benin Boy. "Any information leading to the arrest of any of them will be handsomely rewarded."

He urged the public to be cautious of street robbery including snatching of mobile phones on the street and pick-pocketing, which was difficult to control.

The Regional Crime Officer, Chief Superintendent Mr Bright Oduro said the group had between November 2005 and June 2006 committed 51 robberies in houses.

He said the Police had so far managed to reduce robberies perpetrated by Nigerians stressing that there were some Ghanaians, who were also operating in some parts of Accra.