Teenage Gang Busted

When a notorious armed robber, Ali Ayara, was killed in a gun battle with the police in Kumasi in April this year, many of the residents heaved a sigh of relief. Unknown to them, worse things were in store. Indeed, during Ati Ayara�s funeral on June 22 this year, Adisa Osman, 18, who had travelled all the way from Accra to Kumasi, organized six other accomplices, packed bag and baggage and made their way to Accra � the nation�s capital. Their mission? To launch a massive robbery operation in Accra and Tema to avenge the death of their gang leader and mentor. Luck, however, run out for them and they were arrested at the Agbogbloshie-Bimbilla Market upon a tip-off at 9am yesterday before they could put their nefarious plan into operation. The other suspects were Mohammed Awal, 17; Abubakar Sadif, 17; Nash Awudu, 17; Musah Alhassan, 17; Ussif Amsah, 16, and Awal Musah, 16. Briefing The Finder, the Accra Regional Public Relations Officer, DSP Freeman Tettey, said Musah Alhassan acquired two locally-manufactured pistols and nine cartridges. Musah then buried the weapons in one kilo of rice he bought in Kumasi and they (suspects) set off for Accra at about 3:30pm on June 22 to execute their diabolic plan. DSP Tettey said the suspects arrived in Accra at about 8pm and went to lodge with Adisa near the Bimbilla Station at the Agbogbloshie Market. He said as the suspects were planning to go and rob a shop in Tema Community One the police had a tip-off and arrested them. DSP Tettey said the suspects would be charged for possessing firearms without authority and preparation to rob. Meanwhile, four women who were also organised by Adisa from Accra to Kumasi are on the run. Items retrieved on the suspects were live cartridges and two locally-manufactured pistols.