A police officer has been shot dead by highway robbers at Pramkese in the Kwaebibirim district of the Eastern Region on Monday evening.

The officer, Lance Corporal Moses Nartey had been dispatched with one other colleague to avert a robbery incident on the Akyem Pramkese- Takyiman road following a distress call.

The armed policemen drove in a hired taxi to the robbery scene since the station had no official vehicle to be used for the operation.

According to the Chief of Akyem-Pramkese, Barimah Ofori Frimpong II, the robbers who had laid an ambush in a nearby bush opened fire on the police team when the lead officer, Lance Corporal Nartey alighted from the Taxi.

He explained that his other colleague who attempted to retaliate was also shot in the process.

The armed men, the chief said escaped after sensing the residents had got wind of the attack and were on their way to cause their arrest.

Barimah Ofori Frimpong revealed that the deceased officer was shot in his head and chest whilst his colleague was shot in his thigh.

The taxi driver and the residents rushed the officers to the Pramkese Health Centre but Lance Corporal Nartey was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body of the deceased officer has been deposited at the Akwatia St. Dominic hospital morgue whilst his colleague is currently receiving treatment at the same facility.

The acting Eastern Region Police PRO, Sergeant Francis Gomado has confirmed the incident.

He, however, declined to give further details with the explanation that the police administration would have to officially inform the family of the deceased before making further comments.