Suspected robbers arrested during shootout with the police

Kumasi, May 03, GNA -Five suspected armed robbers including a woman were last Saturday captured by the Police Buffalo Unit in Kumasi after a fierce gun battle.

Two of them sustained gunshot wounds in the stomach and neck and are receiving treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) under armed police guard.

The suspects were identified as Patrick Atigri, Mohammed Bashiru, Anas Mahamadu, Azana Kassim alias "Oldman" and Esther Agyeiwaa. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kwaku Ayensu Opare-Addo, Deputy Ashanti Regional Police Commander, told newsmen that the robbers struck at the Atonsu-Agogo lorry park at about 1930 hours and robbed people in the vicinity of their monies, mobile phones and other valuables.

They also took away the daily sales of a drinking spot operator and when they were about to flee with their booty, the Police Buffalo Unit that was on routine night patrol arrived at the scene. On seeing the police, they forced themselves into a taxicab and fired shots at the police who returned fire.

ACP Opare-Addo said the police managed to arrest four of them while one escaped with gunshot wounds.

When they sent the injured robbers to KATH they met the escapee at the hospital receiving treatment for his wounds. The police, he said, retrieved from the robbers a locally manufactured pistol, cartridges and mobile phones. 03 May 05