Beware of new tactics by criminals

Dear friends, the festive season is here with us again and it appears the criminals are devising all forms of guerilla tactics to outwit their unsuspecting preys.  A few days ago, I almost became a victim but thanks be to God who sent an angel to deliver me. I am grateful to God for always being there for us.

Knowing that this tactics could be easily deployed on several other people, I decided to use this platform to give you a heads-up so that you can watch your back and remain safe.  

My ordeal happened on the night of Monday, 27th November, 2017.  On this day, at about 8:30pm, whilst heading towards Weija from Kaneshie, I heard a knock on the window of my car.  This was a man dressed in the Ghana police uniform.  I rolled down my window to listen to what he had to say. He accused me of running through Red light at the First light traffic light.  He added that, they (he and his colleague who was by then sitting in a car behind me) had been chasing me and had called for help from their patrol team.  I looked in my rear mirror and saw that the car they supposedly used in chasing me was private car. He insisted on sitting in my car (like they always do in Ghana) but I said no and asked him to follow me to a safer place so I could pull over.  He joined his colleague in the private car and they followed me and i pulled over at the Odorkor junction where there were quite a number for pedestrians minding their own business.

I came out of the car and locked the doors and asked of my offence and they (two of them) announced my charge to to me and asked me to make a U-turn because they were arresting me and sending me to the Odorkor MTTU. This was a surprise to me because I know for sure I didn't run through the traffic light.  The argument continued but they insisted they were four police officers in all (thus these two and two others waiting for me at the Odorkor MTTU).

Knowing that the police can sometimes unnecessary waste one’s time, I thought the wisest thing to do was to cut short the argument and plead with them to release me.  In principle, I admitted the offence. That appeared to have given them the upper hand. I then tried to “sort” them out with some “kola nut” so i could could be released.  That was when they advised that we should “talk” in my car.  For the Ghanaians reading this account, I am sure you do understand what I mean.

Upon giving them access to my car (that is, one in front and the other on the back seat), I called a colleague in the Service to talk to them with the hope that, they will understand their language.  Then one of them retorted that, “massa”, that was not the agreement, he thought I had promised to sort them out and now I was calling an officer.  They did speak to this officer but I noticed that, when my friend asked for their service number, they could not provide that.  That immediately sent me a signal to be careful with these guys. They asked my friend to meet us at the Odorkor MTTU.

Now this is the interesting part, whilst these discussions between my friend in the service and these supposedly policemen were going on, an “angel” knocked on the the drivers side window and when I rolled down, he asked the police officers why they were intimidating me. He said he had been observing us for some time and wanted to know what was going on. The police officers in my car quickly narrated the incident to him and he asked of their names.  He asked of their office and they said Odorkor MTTU. He then said that he is a Sergeant at the Odorkor MTTU and does not know these guys.  He then asked me to open the door so we will go to the police station together.  To my amazement, the police officers immediately said that they had just received a radio message that they should discontinue my case and attend to some more urgent stuff.  Truth is, i did not hear any radio message.

Then it occurred to me that these guys (Corporal Eric and Corporal Francis, surnames forgotten) did not have their service numbers or names on their uniforms) and this could explain why they could not provide it when my service colleague asked for it.

After they run away, the “angel” who gave his name as Sergeant Agyemang George of the Odorkor MTTU took some time to educate me on what to look out for from a genuine police officer and the risk I had exposed myself too. I will like to take this opportunity to acknowledge him and thank him immensely for his intervention and saving me from the hands of these criminals.

Subsequently, I also spoke to Chief Inspector Alhassan of the PIPS unit (a very good friend) to get some insights into how to keep myself, family and friends safe.  

I summarise herewith the advice of both Chief Inspector Alhassan and Sergeant Agyemang, which I believe will be useful to you and your loved ones in these times.   

1. Every police officer from the rank of constable to Sergeant in Ghana must have his name and service number clearly displayed on their uniform. From the rank of Inspector and above, only the name is required to be displayed.

2. The police officer on duty should be able to produce his ID card when demanded.

3. Don’t open your doors for the police officer to sit in.  The car is yours and not theirs.  Ask the police to tell you which station they intend to take you and ask them to follow your car to the that station or MTTU.  If they are criminals, they can easily hijack your car once they sit in your car. Be careful and be guided accordingly.

4. When you suspect any untoward behaviour, you may want to reach out on the police emergency line.

If you find this piece useful, please feel free to share.

I wish you all and safe and enjoyable Christmas and a happy new year.