Key points
- Zanetor Rawlings condemns the Adabraka robbery and calls for increased security measures.
- Armed robbers injure one and loot a jewelry shop in broad daylight.
- Police launch manhunt, pledge swift action to ensure justice.
Ghanaian MP Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, a medical doctor, condemned a recent daylight armed robbery in Adabraka, her constituency. She stressed the urgent need for heightened security measures to protect residents and prevent future incidents.
The brazen attack, which took place on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, has intensified concerns about a surge in violent crime within the area.
Rawlings: second Adabraka robbery raises security concerns
Rawlings who is the eldest daughter of Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings (the first President under the 4th Republic), highlighted that the incident marks the second armed robbery at the same location in less than four months.
She expressed her commitment to liaising with the Ministry of Interior and National Security to address the community’s pressing security needs, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to ensure public safety. “It is not enough to simply reassure the public,” Rawlings stated. “Concrete actions are required to protect our communities and restore peace of mind.”
Details of the Adabraka robbery
Witnesses reported that a group of five men, armed and aggressive, descended on the Adabraka neighborhood, targeting a local jewelry shop in broad daylight. According to eyewitness accounts and viral video footage, the robbers fired several shots into the air as they executed the heist. The assailants quickly loaded stolen items, including cash and valuables, into a silver vehicle before fleeing the scene.
Footage circulating on social media captures the harrowing moments of the robbery: suspects are seen brandishing weapons, firing warning shots, and intimidating bystanders. One witness, who initially raised his hands in surrender, was forced to comply with their demands. In a chaotic turn, some of the stolen cash was strewn on the ground, only to be hastily gathered again by the robbers before they sped off. Tragically, at least one bystander was injured by stray gunfire, and nearby residents were seen assisting him to the hospital.
Police Response
The Ghana Police Service has since launched a manhunt to track down the suspects involved in the high-profile robbery. In a statement issued on November 2, police officials confirmed that the targeted establishment was a jewelry store in Adabraka. “The police are fully committed to apprehending the perpetrators of this brazen crime,” the statement noted. Authorities assured the public that efforts are underway to bring the criminals to justice. “We want to assure residents of Adabraka and the entire community that the suspects will be located and made to face justice.”
Rising Concerns for Public Safety
The Adabraka incident has sparked wider conversations about public safety in the Greater Accra Region. Rawlings’ response underscores her dedication to addressing these security issues, which are increasingly affecting her constituency. She urged swift government intervention to curb the alarming frequency of such attacks, reiterating her determination to work closely with security agencies.
“We cannot promise people a safe community and fail to back it up with decisive action,”Rawlings said. As community members remain on edge following the attack, calls for heighte