Incessant Armed Robbery in Buokrom Kumasi
The condition of incessant armed robbery has become a problem in Buokrom- Kumasi.
There have been reports from residents of Buokrom that a serial armed robbery has been going on for some time now and this has instilled fear in residents.
From observation, stores and other places that service customers with essential things close as early as 6PM and latest by 7PM. This, they explain, is for their safety and that of others.
Some shop owners and residents shared their concerns about the issue at hand and others also recounted their encounter with these armed robbers.
According to one hairstylist at Bola Junction- Buokrom, “The day right after I relocated to this area to open my shop, 3 men who I saw on a motor ganged up on me while I was preparing to leave. It was around 7 pm when they came. They ordered me to sweep my pockets and bags clean so they could take everything. After that, they ordered me to open my zip, at that moment, I was really scared because I was pregnant and I was scared they might not consider my condition.”
“so I opened my zip as they instructed, but just when I did that, I heard some of their gang members running towards them, which meant they had to be on the run, and that is when I started to thank God for saving me. Else, the worst could have happened,” she said
“What scared me the most was that they don’t come with small knives or vain threats but with machetes, so anyone who tries to fight back may be harmed, or worse” she concluded.
So far, the person alleged to have reported the case to the police hasn’t seen any action taken by them. “This means Ghana Police is not reliable when it comes to serious issues pertaining to the community. So we have to protect our safety and help each other, and not to depend on the Ghana police ever,” another advised.
From another supermarket owner’s account, she has had an encounter with these armed robbers on more than 2 accounts. The first time, they broke into her shop to steal a lot of expensive things in her absence. Upon getting to work the next morning, she chanced upon a messy environment and after taking stock, realized that a lot of goodies were gone. Unsatisfied with that, the robbers came back the very next day to rob her and threaten her when she hadn’t closed.
“They come as a gang on motors every day. They act as they know you when there are people around. But even if you get the sign, you can’t shout or cry for help because they come with weapons and threaten you” the supermarket owner said.
They have devised another strategy by appealing to our sympathetic emotions. Not only are there male robbers. Now, women have involved themselves and this has become really serious. In the account of the pregnant hairstylist, she shared her experience on how she and her husband almost fell victim to one of these new schemes devised by the robbers.
“Because of my first encounter with these robbers, my husband has been coming to get me home. One night as we were en route to the house, we saw a woman with a baby crying as she was sitting in the middle of the road. My instincts told me this was a scheme so I cautioned my husband to keep driving and not stop at all cost. We took a sharp curve when we got closer to her and sped off. When we had passed her, I looked back and saw 2 men with Knives who seemed angry, and also noticed that the woman was not with a baby but a pillow. So since then, I am on high alert all the time.”
Buokrom has become dangerous and very risky, especially for the people who come home late from work.
Story by Nana Ama Dwomoh Nuakoh/focusnewsroom.com
