Robbers Shoot Passenger

Isaac Opoku Mensah (left) and Kojo Aboagye(right)

EIGHT SUSPECTED armed robbers yesterday attacked two passenger buses between Mile 14 and Hiaa on the Obuasi Kumasi road, shooting a 25-year-old man in the process.

Enoch Gumado was shot in the chest by one of the robbers in a mysterious circumstance and the victim is currently on admission at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

The police arrested two of the suspects who were later identified as Isaac Opoku Mensah, 22, and Kojo Aboagye, 20, while the rest managed to escape.

DSP Kwabena Otuo-Acheampong, Obuasi Divisional Crime Officer, said the suspects who were fully armed with pump-action guns and locally made pistols, blocked a section of the road between Mile 14 and Hia and robbed over 30 passengers onboard a Mercedes Benz bus registered AS 2522 B and a 207-Benz bus.

Both vehicles were heading towards Obuasi before the robbery attack occurred around 4:30 am, the police chief narrated.

According to him, the robbers had escaped with various sums of money, laptops, mobile phones, walkman passports and other personal belongings of the victims when the police arrived at the scene.

DSP Otuo-Acheampong stated that while the police were returning from the crime scene, they received information that two of the robbers had fled into the bush.

He said the police, with support from the local people, combed through the bush and arrested 22-year-old Isaac Opoku Mensah, and Kojo Aboagye, 20, all residents of Sanso in Obuasi.

The Crime Officer intimated that the police also intercepted the pick-up vehicle used by the robbers for the operation.

A search in the car revealed one HP laptop, three pump-action guns, one mini clip, a Sony walkman, a video clip, Samsung mobile phone, five AA cartridges, one empty shell cartridge, a passport bearing the name of Dominic Amoako and two lack necks.

DSP Otuo-Acheampong indicated that Isaac Opoku Mensah was involved in two other armed robbery cases at Dunkwa and Jacobu.

He said investigation was under way to arrest other members of the gang.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Obuasi