“Our father was very close to us, he loved us and took good care of us. We also loved him. He made us even forget that our mother had died long ago. On the fateful night, we told our father not to go to work but he insisted and said he needed to go just so he will be able to cater for us,” these are the words of Zaratu Agbasa, the 14-year-old daughter of Muniru Agbasa, a 58-year-old watchman killed by armed robbers while on duty at TT fuel filling station at Adawso- Akuapem in Eastern Region.
The robbers tied both hands and legs of the deceased watchman, strangulated and stabbed him on the neck before breaking into the office of the fuel station to steal about Ghc10,000 on August 26, 2021.
The grisly death of Muniru Agbasa has rendered his four children orphans having lost their mother seven years ago two weeks after giving birth to their last born Jamilatu Agbasa. Their Auntie who took care of then baby Jamilatu also died three years ago.
The elder daughter Hassanatu Agbasa ,17, is currently schooling at Islamic Girls Senior High School in Suhum.
Zaratu Agbasa, 14-year-old JHS one student aspiring nurse revealing fond memories of their deceased father described him as hardworking and good father to them. She however said the sudden death of their father has thrown them into a state of hopelessness in their academic pursuit with a call on philanthropists and NGOs to come to their aide.
“Our father imbibed the fear of Allah in us. He always advised us to observe salah prayers everyday. He advised us to respect the elderly, learn to forgive people .We should not think evil about people that we should be free with everyone . When he was leaving , our younger sibling was crying that Daddy should not go to work. We are saddened. Our father’s death is a big blow to us we are appealing to Philanthropist to help us” .
Moro Horsu and Adamu Mohammed both family elders said the death of Agbasa is a big blow to the family and the children expressing major concern on where to get financial support to cater for the four children of the deceased left behind.
But for Isaka Agbasa, a family member, he is worried by the rampant armed robbery cases and violent crimes in the country. He said government should sit up to protect the citizens.
This is not the first time armed robbers have attacked a Fuel filling station at Adawso- community .
A unit committee Secretary for Adawso-Boryebea electoral area Baniba Hayford Naferli ,Unit said the community has the most vibrant market center in Akuapem North Municipality with many brisk business activities however a police station in the community is understaffed and lack logistics.
He called on the Acting IGP Dr.George Akuffo Dampare to elevate the Police station to a district status to be able to manage crime in Adawso and its surrounding communities .
“Information we had was that the armed robbers came to the filling station .What we learnt was that he was able to identify some of he robbers that was the main reason why they killed him”.
He added “the Police officers here are only four so they are not able to do patrols.They don’t have a vehicle, they don’t even have a motorcycle so we are pleading for more police officers . Adawso is developing so much because of the market we have so many villages around Adawso here .The police station should be elevated to District Police command”.
The Eastern Region has been recording rampant armed robbery attacks which have resulted in deaths, injuries, and lost of Personal effects by hundreds of victims.
Meanwhile the Anti -Armed Robbery Taskforce deployed to the region by the Acting IGP Dr. George Akufo Dampare are still on grounds operation.
Source : Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Kojo Ansah
