Two armed robbers who attacked a female Mobile Money vendor at Tema Community 6 have been shot dead by the police.
The robbers are said to have attacked the victim at around 7:30am, leaving her with a sustained gunshot wound in her leg.
Reports indicate that the suspects had targeted the vendor who operates a shop at Aba Fosuah Plaza, Community 5 near St. Paul area, fleeing with a large sum of money before police pursued and confronted them.
Eyewitness videos show officers surrounding the scene with two bodies, piles of money, and recovered stolen items.
According to a police statement, preliminary investigation indicated that one of the suspects, who was a pillion rider, approached the victim under the pretext of making a transaction.
“As the victim retrieved her phone from her bag to process the transaction, the suspect pulled out a pistol and demanded that she surrender the bag containing cash.
The victim resisted, prompting the other suspect who was riding the motorbike to join the pillion rider in a struggle over the bag. In the course of the struggle, the pillion rider shot the victim in the leg.
The victim subsequently released the bag, after which the suspects fled the scene on the motorbike,” part of the statement issued by ASP Dede Dzakpasu, head of Public Affairs, Tema Region, read.
The statement added that a police patrol team from the Tema Regional Operations Unit, who had been deployed for security duties at an event close by, swiftly responded to a distress call.
“The suspects, who were riding on a black Royal motorbike with registration number M-24-GE 778, upon reaching a junction near Smart Hotel at Community 6, opened fire on the pursuing police team. The police returned fire, and in the ensuing exchange, both suspects sustained gunshot wounds and fell off the motorbike,” the statement read.
ASP Dede Dzakpasu further indicated that the suspects were transported to the Police Hospital for medical attention but were pronounced dead on arrival by a medical officer.
Their bodies have since been deposited at the Police Hospital mortuary for preservation, identification, and autopsy.
A search conducted on the suspects led to the retrieval of the following items: One (1) black 9mm Luger pistol loaded with three (3) rounds of ammunition in the magazine and one (1) round in the chamber, three (3) Android mobile phones, One Ghana Card, assorted SIM cards, one talisman, one Royal motorbike key, and cash amount of GH¢11,390.00. Police also retrieved one spent cartridge at the scene of the robbery.
Investigations further revealed that the Ghana Card recovered from the suspects belongs to the robbery victim. The victim, who sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the incident, is currently receiving medical attention and is reported to be in a stable condition.
The Tema Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to ensuring safety and security within the region, urging the public to be vigilant.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke
