Armed men kill Ghanaian policeman in a deadly bullion van attack

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A police officer has been shot and killed by unidentified armed gang in Ghana’s Western North Region, Dailymailgh.com can report.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 am Tuesday at Essam in the Juaboso District, officers say.

The officer named as G/Sgt Emmanuel Chikudor was part of a team onboard a Nissan Hardbody bullion van with registration number GT 9436-17 on escort to the Essam Branch of the Agricultural Development Bank.

Led by one Saviour Amuzu the team came under attack at Asempaneye, another adjoining community, after two men armed with pump action guns fired indiscriminately at the team.

Police upon receiving the information dispatched a patrol team to the scene.

The deceased who sustained gunshot wounds in the head was quickly rushed to the St. John of God Hospital where he was pronounced dead by medics.

His service rifle has since been recovered by the police. The other occupants, according to the police escaped unhurt.

It remains unclear whether the suspects made away with any personal effects.

Investigations have begun as police pursue the suspects.

Police have since intensified patrols at the Essam community and its environs.

Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Chief Executive Louis Owusu told Dailymailgh.com that a joint security council meeting will be held to avert such attacks.

“A joint security meeting is not out of place. A similar incident occurred at Bibiani but no life was lost so I will communicate with my other colleagues to know how best we can ward off such criminals,” he said.

Fallen heroes

The latest incident brings to six — the number of officers who have been gruesomely murdered in their line of duty in recent months.

The Ghana Police Service as part of its bid to honour such officers held a memorial day at the National Police Training School in Accra.

The fifth edition of the Memorial Day which was first celebrated in 2014 honoured eight officers including Inspector Foster Ampomah, Inspector Michael Dotse K. Dzeameshie, General Coporal Awal Mohamed, Seargranrt Agatha Nana Nabin and General Corporal George Nkwanna.

The list of honoured officers also included Alhassan Asare, General Lance Corporal John Andoh and General Lance Corporal Bernard Antwi —who all in 2019 lost their lives while performing their duties as police officers.

By J. Ofori, Daily Mail GH