Information gathered by Today indicates that students of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) especially those who live in the Diaspora including Apewosika and Amamoma community of the University now live in constant fear for their lives due to the upsurge of robbery cases on campus.
Robbers attack students with guns and machetes at their hostels to rob them of their mobile phones, laptops and other valuables.
The Cape Coast Metropolitan Crimes Officer, Mr Edward Kwartey Otumi, confirmed this to this reporter, in an interview last Friday, where he described the security on UCC campus as ‘very bad.’
He added that urgent attention needs to be given the current issue to enable students find peace mind to study.
Mr Otumi disclosed that the university campus has been recording robbery cases at an alarming rate since the beginning of this year, adding that from January to April, about 50 robbery cases have been reported by students at the UCC police station.
He stated that the robbery started last year but the situation has worsened since the beginning of this year.
The crime officer pointed out that the robbers attack the students in their hostels and even lecture halls at night with guns and cutlasses threatening to kill them if they do not give them their mobile phones, laptops and money.
Realising that the situation was getting out of hand, the Crimes officer’s outfit set out an investigative team to feign interest in the stolen items; this eventually led to the arrest of one Evans Arhin, who offered to sell a Sony laptop for GH¢ 500 on the 27th of April to them.
He said Arhin was arrested together with another man, Ebenezer Gyadu, alias ‘Salty’ in the course of the transaction.
Mr Otumi’s team managed to retrieve about eight computers.
He said the two suspects admitted to the offence during interrogation but were quick to add that one Uncle Ayi brought the computers to them.
Mr Otumi pointed out that Arhin is an IT specialist who is given the stolen computers to decode and unlock before they are sold.
He said the suspects have mentioned some accomplices who will also be tracked down by the police soon.
The Crime officer said the suspects cannot be charged for robbery since they claimed the computers were brought to them; but they will be charged for being in possession of stolen items and abetment of crime.
He added that the police have been holding security meetings with the university authorities to see how best they can curb the menace.
Mr Otumi advised the students to look for decent accommodation and shun the cheap ones in order to safeguard their lives and properties.
STORY: FROM MAGDALENE SEY, CAPE COAST, C/R
