The National Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof Ahmed Zakariah has revealed that the armed robbers who attacked the ambulance on Thursday did not only kill the driver but also sexually assaulted a paramedic who was with the team.
Describing the incident as horrific in an interview with JoyNews, Prof Zakariah said the victim has since been traumatised and has since not plied the road the unfortunate incident occurred.
“Initially, people were trying to rationalise that they mistook the ambulance for a police vehicle, but the subsequent events showed that, that wasn’t the case, because they got closer, saw it was an ambulance shot the driver who was a paramedic himself and forced themselves into the patient compartment which was locked.
“They forced the poor lady (paramedic) to switch off the engine because they feared the siren and beacon light will draw attention. They then robbed her of her telephone and whatever she had on her and fondled her breasts; all this while, with a gun to her head,” he told JoyNews’ Maxwell Agbagba.
According to Prof Zakariah, although the Service has recorded a number of attacks on its personnel on duty, they have always been on a minor scale, but, the recent one which led to the death of one of the paramedics was “pathetic and extreme”.
The visibly saddened CEO said that the incident has dampened the morale of the National Ambulance Service.
“Everybody is devastated because nobody would have thought that an ambulance carrying a sick patient will be attacked in such a manner.
“Imagine you leave your family to save people and you do not return and it is not because of an accident but you were shot by armed robbers. The incident is really horrific so everybody is devastated about the situation,” he said.
Prof Zakariah further stated that plans are far advanced to increase the risk allowances of members of the service.
“The NAS needs the support of everybody. We will need to collaborate with security agencies so that they provide support so that patients and paramedics are secured.
“This is one option that we have to immediately look at, because the alternative is to halt night duties. But obviously, that won’t be an option in the interest of the masses. So what will serve the collective interest, is to guarantee the safety of paramedics,” he said.
Meanwhile, relatives of the murdered Ambulance Service personnel have called for expedited investigations into the incident that led to his death.
Latest Stories
-
We didn’t sneak out 10 BVDs; they were auctioned as obsolete equipment – EC
2 hours -
King Charles to resume public duties after progress in cancer treatment
2 hours -
Arda Guler scores on first start in La Liga as Madrid beat Real Sociedad
2 hours -
Fatawu Issahaku’s Leicester City secures Premier League promotion after Leeds defeat
3 hours -
Anticipation builds as Junior Speller hosts nationwide auditions
3 hours -
Etse Sikanku: The driver’s mate conundrum
4 hours -
IMF Deputy Chief worried large chunk of Eurobonds is used to service debt
4 hours -
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II celebrates 25 years of peaceful rule on golden stool
4 hours -
We have enough funds to pay accruing benefits; we’ve never missed pension payments since 1991 – SSNIT
4 hours -
Let’s embrace shared vision and propel National Banking College – First Deputy Governor
5 hours -
Liverpool agree compensation deal with Feyenoord for Slot
5 hours -
Ejisu by-election: There’s no evidence of NPP engaging in vote-buying – Ahiagbah
5 hours -
Ejisu by-election: Independent ex-NPP MP’s campaign team warns party against dubious tactics
6 hours -
ZEN Petroleum supports Tse-Addo Future Leaders School
6 hours -
NPP must win back Adentan seat in 2024 polls – Obeng Fosu
7 hours