The Police in Tumu in the Upper West region have revealed that the three suspects arrested after the shootout on Tuesday say they are rosewood loggers who were found at the wrong place at the wrong time.
According to the Tumu Police, the refusal of the three suspected armed robbers to stop when they were asked to, led to the firing of a warning shot which wounded one of them, who has since been treated and discharged.
The three, all Ghanaians included Yussif, Fuseini both from Walewale and a third Hudu from Jemma in Brong Ahafo. They were from Walewale through Sandema to Tumu to harvest rosewood.
According to Yussif, a community member in Dolunbizon had arranged for them to come over to harvest rosewood. They contend financial delays led to the late start of the journey from Walewale to Tumu. Only Hudu an operator had been to Tumu once.
Meanwhile, the police are continuing with its investigations and hope to transfer the three to the regional police command for further action.
The three, however, deny claims of involving in robbery but were rosewood merchants who were on a reconnaissance visit.
Their arrest follows calls Tuesday evening on radio when the Metro-mass bus from Bolga to Tumu was forced to stop miles away from the Sissili Bridge after suspected armed men barricaded the highway with trunk of logs.
Stranded drivers and passengers parked at Kunchokor until the Tumu Police moved in by 8:30pm to clear the road and escorted them to Navrongo and back.
It was during their return around 12:00am that the three suspects on two brand new Huajin grade and a Royal Motorbike unnumbered, came into contact with the Tumu Police around Pido close to Basissan on the Tumu Navrongo Highway.
Source: Ghana/Starrfmonline.com/103.5FM/Musah Lansah