The Ashanti Regional Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation into the shooting to death of an officer by suspected armed robbers. Five unidentified gunmen killed 45-year-old Detective Sergeant Reuben Akakpo, after shooting him in the left shoulder several times at close range on the Effiduase-Kumawu road. The deceased officer was on his way to visit his family at Kumawu when the incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday. The robbers are also reported to have robbed a couple visiting the hospital of their money and other belongings. This is the second time in two months a police officer has died under bizarre circumstances in the area after Constable Frank Blankson was shot dead at a drinking bar at Danyame in September. News of Sergeant Akakpo’s death swept through the police regional headquarters like wildfire. Some police officers who had met him on Monday to plan the next day’s activities could not believe his sudden demise. As a photographer at the command, he was seen as everybody’s friend. According to his colleagues, Sergeant Akakpo was travelling in his BMW car with registration GT 4343 T when he was forced to stop at a barricade mounted by the suspected robbers. Just as he heeded the order by the robbers to get out of from his car, he was shot in the right arm and chest. Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Yussif Mohammed Tanko described the tragic death of the late Akakpo as ‘very very unfortunate’. He said ‘only yesterday, this was somebody we were with, we planned with next day’s assignment, only to have information this morning that he has been gunned down.” Chief Inspector Tanko however assured police will pursue the case to its logical conclusion. “We will focus on our statutory duties and make sure we pursue the robbers wherever they are…” he said. According to him, police in the Ashanti Region remain resolute in the fight against crime despite the tragic death of two of their men. “And we are assuring everybody that the police will remain resolute, will remain undaunted, we will pursue the robbers and other criminals wherever we can get them and we will arrest them to face justice.” Chief Inspector Tanko also called on the general public to volunteer information that will lead to the arrest of the criminals. Meanwhile, the body of the late Detective Sergeant Akakpo has been deposited at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Story By: Ohemeng Tawiah/Nhyira FM/Kumasi