Following a failed robbery attack on a bullion van on Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akufo Dampare, has repeated calls for armoured vehicles to be used in the movement of bulk cash.
At least three people were injured in the attack in Accra’s Industrial area, and they are currently being treated at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
“Beyond the Police intervention, the armoured bullion vehicle deployed saved the lives of the officials and the Police officer on-board the vehicle even though the thieves fired into the van,” the IGP stated on Facebook hours after the attack.
“It has thus become imperative to re-echo the Police Administration’s request for all financial institutions in the country to resort to the usage of such fit for purpose vehicles for their cash in transit activities,” according to the IGP.
Following four widespread attacks on bullion vans across the country last June, the Police Service issued a warning to banks about cash transportation.
The IGP at the time, James Oppong Boanuh, ordered banks to buy hardened armoured trucks to transport cash across the country.
He cautioned that if the financial institutions do not comply with the directive by the end of the month, the Service will suspend its regular escorts.
As attacks on bullion vans resurface, it appears that little has changed. The current IGP reiterates similar calls on financial institutions.
Dr. Akuffo Dampare told the people that the police have increased their efforts to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators.
“We will undoubtedly get them,” claimed the IGP.
The heist was prevented thanks to the involvement of a police officer, according to the Police Administration.
In the first half of 2021, four bullion vans were attacked.
There were four bullion van attacks in the first half of 2021.
In three of the incidents, JoyNews investigations reveal that the robbers fled with the cash on board the vehicles.
The police officers escorting the van were killed in two of the cases.
On January 18, 2021, a group of about ten highway robbers attacked a bullion van traveling on a part of the Adansi Fomena route in the Ashanti Region, stealing $500,000 in cash.
According to eyewitnesses, armed individuals numbering around four robbed a bullion van belonging to a popular bank in broad daylight on the Spintex Road at Baatsona near the Danpong Hospital on March 1, 2021.
In June, the situation worsened when two bullion vehicles were attacked in three days.
The first incident occurred on June 14, 2021, in Adedenkpo, near James Town in Accra, when a bullion van was ambushed.
The escorting police officer and a woman were murdered, while the driver was seriously injured.
With the money, the robbers fled.
The second attack occurred on the Winneba-Accra route on June 17, 2021, when a bullion van was targeted.
Unknown assailants opened fire on the van around Okyereko and Dominase on the Winneba-Accra highway.
Apart from the driver, the van was occupied by two police officers who were carrying a total of $550,000.
They were rescued by the Winneba Divisional Police, who escorted them to Accra, despite the gunshots.
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