Armed Robbers Attack Nurse

A 57-year-old principal midwife of the Brong Ahafo Regional Hospital, Albertina Daplah was in the late hours of Tuesday, the 20th of February, attacked by armed robbers near her residence at the nurses' quarters in Sunyani.

According to the District Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Christian T. Yohuno, Albertina informed the police that after close of work at about 9:30pm, while she neared her residence in the company of her grand daughter who was then carrying a packet of sachet water, she saw two men approach from the nurses' quarters.

Unknown to them, these men were armed men looking for some prey.

The two gunned men, she said, pounced on them, laid them prostrate, ordering them to surrender all their valuables, while searching her for money.

Realising that Albertina had neither money nor mobile phone on her, they were angered and used a dagger to inflict multiple wounds on her right palm.

Alberta said even though she screamed for help, none came. Sensing danger however, the robbers fled.

Later, a locally manufactured gun was retrieved from the scene by a group of young boys who mustered courage to come to her rescue.

She said the boys who thought the gun was a toy, took it home and in trying to satisfy their curiosity, triggered it off accidentally, nearly killing her grandson.

At the time the police visited the scene, occupants of the nurses quarters were still in their rooms, looking on from their windows, not the least bothered to help in the investigation.

The police expressed disbelief at the behaviour of neighbours who could not even call the helpline of the police to come to the aid of their colleague.

Speaking to the Daily Guide, Albertina disclosed that this brought to six the number of health workers who had suffered the same fate and pleaded with the authorities that be, to consider their petition for security men in the medical village as well as fix security lights on their streets.

On account of her attack, there was a protest march by some health works numbering about 40 to petition the medical superintendent of the regional hospital, Dr. Asare, to address the situation immediately.

In the petition, they threatened to stop going on afternoon or night duties to save their dear lives.

They pointed out that about six security men were daily at post by each of the hospital gates to protect equipment while the safety of the employees was left unattended to Sunyani, beautiful as it is, generally has a bad lighting system which renders most portions of the city too dark and dangerous to ply in the night. The nurses' quarters is no exception.

At about 7pm, the area which is partially bushy, becomes very dark, hence conducive for thieves and robbers who ambush and prey on unsuspecting victims.

In the mean time, the gun has been kept at the district police station as exhibit while investigations continue.