National Operations Directorate (NOD) Surveillance Unit and other Combat Patrol Teams of the Ghana Police Service have retrieved weapons from some armed robbers at Ntoaso in the Eastern Region.
One of the suspected robbers who opened fire at the police was gunned down while one other was arrested.
The action was taken as part of security measures adopted by the Police Administration under the new Anti-Armed Robbery Taske Force (AARTF) strategy to curb robberies and other violent crimes in the country.
According to brief from the Police, intelligence was picked from a source that some Arms and Ammunitions had been concealed by a gang of Armed Robbers at Ntoaso, a town in the Eastern Region.
In response to the Intelligence gathered, a team from the National Operations Directorate (NOD) Surveillance Unit and three other Combat Patrol Teams were dispatched to the location to retrieve the said weapons.
On reaching the location, the suspected robbers took to their heels on seeing the Police.
The police said, the team began to search and retrieve the weapons and in the process, one of the suspected Robbers (yet to be identified), who was hiding in a nearby room opened fire on the Police and hit the hand of one of the officers, injuring his two fingers in the process.
The Police responded accordingly and gunned down the suspected robber while one other was arrested.
The team continued the search and retrieved items including AK 47 Assault Rifle, M 16 Rifle, Pump Action Gun, Shot Gun, locally manufactured Pistol, 2,882 Rounds of 7.62 x 39mm (AK 47 Ammo), 840 Rounds of 5.56 x 45mm (M 16 Ammo) and 23 Rounds of BB Cartridges.
Other items include; 7.62 x 51mm, Machete, Knives, Sword, Claw Bar, Military Camouflage Uniform, Traditional Warrior Smock and some Personal effects.
The Police also indicated that while the team was on its way back to the National Police Headquarters, the other suspected robber attempted to snatch the weapon of one of the operational men and was gunned down.
“The injured officer was taken to the Police Hospital for treatment and observations at the Hospital indicate that he might undergo surgery to restore the state of two of his fingers that were hit by the suspected robber. Both bodies of the suspected robbers have been deposited at the Police Hospital for preservation and further action,” the brief noted.
However, investigations are underway to arrest the other suspected Armed Robbers.
The police said, further details would be made available when the need arises.
