Police swoop nets four armed robbers

Accra, Oct. 19, GNA - The Greater Regional Police have arrested four more suspected armed robbers believed to be linked to the recent robberies in the metropolis. Godwin Nwankwo, 26, Uche Chuku, alias Okosisi, 28, Precious Nnrom, 24, and Emmanuel Benjamin, alias Emma, 25, are all believed to be Nigerians, were arrested at dawn on Sunday at various hotels. Chief Superintendent Bright Oduro, Regional Crime Officer, who briefed journalists in Accra on Wednesday said the four were believed to be behind robbery incidents at East Legon, Ashalley Botwe, Madina, Sowutuom, Spintex Road, Adjiriganoor, Gbawe, Taifa and Ashongman, among others.

Chief Supt. Oduro noted that the robbers numbering about 16, who operated in four groups, engaged in residential robberies in the night. According to him the groups who had been operating since 2003 to date, armed themselves with both foreign and local guns, breaking implements such as axes and robbed several houses, one house after the other.

Chief Supt. Oduro mentioned some of the items found on the four robbers as a foreign pistol, one locally manufactured pistol, axes and cartridges.

He mentioned some of their accomplices, now on run as Joseph, Ameka, Benin Boy, Yellow man, Chidi, Chenedu Benjamin, Obinna, Infani Big and Small.

According to him Joseph and Ameka were believed to be hiding at Abeka Lapaz and Kantamanto respectively while Benin Boy was suspected to be hopping from one hotel to another. Other accomplices include Obinna, alias Baby Rasta, who resides at Caprice while Chidi and Chenedu are suspected also to be hopping from one hotel to another. Chief Supt. Oduro said another group that the police were hunting included Yellow man and Infani Small, who are suspected to have left Accra, while another group comprising Infani Big and Benjamin are hiding in Tema and Lapaz respectively.

He noted that with the arrest of some members of the group, the region had since Monday not recorded any robbery incident. The Regional Crime Officer said Nwankwo was among four robbers, namely Ulasie Valentine and Otto both deceased, and one Ukechuku believed to be hiding at Aflao, who attacked Mr Mohamed Makkaoui, a Lebanese businessman last week.

"Another three groups all believed to be Nigerians are also operating in the metropolis." He said Nwanko was arrested at Agbogboloshie last week when he visited a nurse to remove bullets from his wound at a fee of 950,000 cedis. Chief Supt. Oduro appealed to the public to assist the Police to arrest the robbers who are at large saying they were patronising various nightclubs.

He said an identification parade would be held next Tuesday and appealed to victims of robbery to come and identify them. Chief Supt. Oduro asked hoteliers around Kwame Nkrumah Circle and its environs to monitor their guests and report persons with suspicious characters.