Story: George Ernest Asare, Kumasi
FOR the second time in three weeks, the police in Kumasi have arrested another group of suspects belonging to both the Mamprusi and Kusasi ethnic groups for attempting to buy AK 47 and G-3 assault rifles, as well as a number of action pump guns, ostensibly for onward transportation to the conflict area in Bawku.
A total of GH¢8,900, being the amount they intended using for the purchase of the weapons, has been retrieved from them.
All the eight suspects are in police custody assisting with investigations.
One of the suspects, who attempted to escape from the police after he had been arrested, was shot in the left leg and rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he is responding to treatment.
The police did not disclose the names of the suspects for security reasons but gave the assurance that they were intensifying investigations to find out who their sponsors were.
The Ashanti Regional Police Public Affairs Officer, Inspector Yusif Mohammed Tanko, who briefed the media on the latest incident, said the suspect who was shot ignored police warning shots and took to his heels.
Inspector Tanko said earlier on February 5, 2008, three suspects had offered GH¢1,500 for an AK 47 assault rifle and a pump action gun for onward transportation to Bawku.
He said barely a week later, a 30-year-old man was also arrested after he had been supplied with five AK 47 assault rifles and he had paid GH¢3,400 to policemen who feigned interest in supplying the weapons.
Inspector Tanko said on Sunday, February 24, 2008, the police arrested four other suspects who offered GH¢4,000 for the purchase of three G-3 assault rifles.
He said two of the suspects resided at Aboabo and Asawasi, both suburbs of Kumasi, while the other two resided at Bawku, adding that they would be arraigned after investigations.
He appealed to the public to collaborate with the police to arrest and prosecute anyone who attempted to purchase weapons from Kumasi to intensify the Bawku conflict.
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