Oke suspected armed robber was killed, while three others escaped when they engaged the police in a shoot-out yesterday at Gwolu in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region.
Armed with A.K.47 assault riffles and other offensive weapons, the robbers who were believed to have come from neighbouring Burkina Faso were the first to open fire when they spotted the police patrol vehicle approaching them.
The deceased, Yakubu Kabore 47, was said to have fallen off the motorbike he was riding with his colleague when he was hit by a bullet from the police.
Briefing the media, the Upper West Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Kwasi Mensah Duke, said the police received information that some robbers had escaped from Burkina Fas, to Gwolu.
He said as a result, the police intensified their patrols in the area to ensure the safety of the residents.
On Wednesday, March 2, at about 12.30 am, the police on their patrol duties spotted two unregistered motorbikes each with a pillion rider and decided to pursue them.
DCOP Duku explained that the robbers upon seeing the police patrol team first opened fire on the police compelling them to return fire and one of the robbers got wounded.
He said sensing danger, two of the robbers escaped with their motorbike to Burkina Faso, leaving one, who managed to escape on foot into the bush.
DCOP Duku said the police proceeded to the scene and found Kabore lying in a pool of blood as a result of the bullet wound. He was rushed to the Gwollu Health Center for treatment but died subsequently.
At the scene, the police retrieved an A.K. 47 assault rifle, two magazines with 26 rounds of ammunition in addition to some talisman.
The body has been deposited at the Regional hospital morgue for autopsy.
Meanwhile, the police have launched investigation to apprehend the other robbers on the run.
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