File photo: Police

A robbery suspect has been killed with a policeman injured in a gun battle at Suame-Maakro in the Ashanti region during a special anti-robbery operation.

This followed Police intelligence that an armed robbery gang was planning an attack on the cluster of banks in the Suame Magazine and Maakro enclave in Kumasi on Friday, October 21, 2022.

The deceased robber and his accomplice who were on motorbikes attacked a customer who had stepped out of the Fidelity bank, Maakro branch, carrying a brown envelope.

In a statement, the Police said the robbers snatched the envelope amidst the firing of guns.

“The rear windscreen and the left door glass of a Daewoo Matiz saloon car which was parked on the bank premises was hit during the shooting.

“The Police, who had mounted surveillance in the area, responded to the situation by firing at the armed robbers and succeeded in hitting the pillion rider who fell off the motorbike. However, the rider who also sustained gunshot wounds managed to escape,” portions of the statement read.

The robbers shot a policeman during the exchange of fire and he sustained a gunshot wound to his right hip.

“Both the injured officer and the suspect were rushed to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for medical attention. The suspect was, however, pronounced dead on arrival.

“The body of the deceased suspect has been deposited at the morgue for preservation, identification and autopsy,” the statement added.

Police have assured efforts are underway to get his accomplice arrested to face justice.

“We wish to appeal to the public especially those who run health facilities within the Kumasi Metropolis and its environs to report any person seeking medical attention with a gunshot wound, for prompt Police action,” the statement urged.

It further commended all the officers who took part in the operation and also wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.