Three suspected robbers gunned down by the police

Three suspected members of a robbery gang, including their leader, identified only as Abacha, had been gunned down by the police in separate incidents.

The group, described as “terrible and dangerous” had for some time now been terrorizing residents of Adankwame and Akropong, in the Atwima-Nwabiagya District.

Two of them were killed on Monday night when they made a daring attempt to flee after they had been captured, while the other died in a fire fight with the police in the early hours of Tuesday.

A member of the police team that carried out the operation to arrest them, reportedly sustained gunshot wounds and is said to be responding to treatment.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Augustine Gyening, the Ashanti Regional Police Commander, at a news briefing said they have launched a manhunt for the other suspects.

He said they were dreadful and a major danger to society because of the nature of sophisticated weapons they used in their criminal activities.

They are believed to have carried out recent robberies on some companies including Project Micro Finance at Susanso, Noble Dream Company - Atwima Koforidua, and Allassck Company at Manso Atobrakrom, where they escaped with thousands of cedis and injured a number of their workers in the process DCOP Gyening said some police officers had chanced upon them at about 2030 hours on Monday and confronted them.

Deadly weapons including, AK 47 assault rifles, pump action guns, pistols, cartridges, knives, cellular phones and other offensive weapons concealed in a sack were seized from them.

He said two of them were arrested and sent to the Kumasi Central Police Station as the others managed to slip through.

The Regional Commander said while preparing to lock them up in the cells, the suspects made a brazen attempt to run away but the police officers opened fire killing them.

Based on calls received on the cellular phones of the deceased the police managed to locate the hideout of the gang and went there, only to be engaged in fierce gun battle by its leader and other members.

Abacha was hit by bullets and killed while one police officer also got injured and is on admission at the hospital.

DCOP Gyening appealed to the people to volunteer information to the police to enable them to arrest and bring to justice other members.