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The Tema Regional Police Command has announced major breakthroughs in its fight against violent crime, arresting several suspects in armed robbery, narcotics and murder cases while issuing fresh security alerts over chieftaincy disputes, landguard activities, student violence and the upcoming Homowo Festival.
Addressing a press briefing in Tema on Thursday, the newly appointed Tema Regional Police Commander, DCOP Eric Asamoah Asiedu, said the Command had recorded significant progress in three armed robbery investigations, three narcotics-related cases and a murder investigation as part of intensified efforts to maintain law and order across the region.
Among the major operations was the foiling of an attempted robbery at Zenu Obaatan. Acting on intelligence, police mounted surveillance on July 15 and 16 before confronting four armed suspects in the early hours of July 16. According to the Commander, the suspects opened fire on the police, who responded in self-defence. One suspect was fatally wounded, while a police officer sustained minor injuries and has since been treated and discharged. Three other suspects escaped with injuries, prompting police to alert health facilities to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.
The Command also provided updates on investigations into the robbery at Mummy’s Recipe Warehouse in Tema Community Nine, where armed men overpowered security guards and stole thousands of bags of rice and cartons of sardines. Intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of six suspects while 717 bags of the suspected stolen rice were recovered. The suspects have been remanded as investigations continue to identify other accomplices and recover the remaining items.
In a separate operation, police recovered 600 out of 751 bags of stolen organic fertilizer valued at more than GH¢431,000 following a robbery at Global Haulage in Kpone. A truck driver was arrested and later led investigators to a warehouse where the fertilizer was recovered.
The Tema Regional Police Command further announced major successes in its anti-narcotics operations, including the interception of vehicles transporting suspected Indian hemp and other narcotic substances. In one case, officers seized more than 5,000 compressed parcels of suspected narcotic drugs concealed in a tipper truck at Afienya, leading to the arrest and remand of two suspects. In another case, police rejected an alleged GH¢150,000 bribe offered to secure the release of a truck loaded with suspected narcotics, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of the individual involved.
The Command also updated the media on the murder of Korletey Adjawutor at a sand-winning site near Agortor. Two suspects have been arrested and granted court bail, while police have retrieved a pistol believed to have been used in the attack. Efforts are underway to apprehend three additional suspects linked to the incident.
Beyond the operational updates, DCOP Asiedu expressed concern over growing security threats within the Tema Region. He warned individuals involved in chieftaincy disputes, landguard activities and student violence to desist from acts capable of disrupting public peace, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
With the Homowo Festival approaching, the Police Commander appealed to traditional authorities, celebrants and residents to observe the festivities peacefully and avoid confrontations associated with traditional rites. He assured the public that adequate security measures had been put in place and cautioned that anyone engaging in criminal acts under the guise of the celebrations would face the full rigours of the law.
DCOP Asiedu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating crime through strengthened intelligence gathering, patrols and collaboration with other security agencies, declaring that the Tema Region would remain a hostile environment for criminals. He also appealed to residents, traditional leaders, educational institutions and the media to support the police by providing timely and credible information to help maintain peace and security.
