A policeman identified as Lance Corporal Kingsley Boahen has been shot dead at Mankessim in the Central Region.

Residents suspect the plain-clothed officer was shot by robbers who had earlier engaged police officers in a gun battle after they were dispatched to the Zen Filling Station where a robbery was taking place at around 4:00 am on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses told JoyNews’ Central Regional Correspondent, Richard Kwadwo Nyarko, that the robbers exchanged fire with the officers when they arrived at the scene.

But the robbers eventually retreated and escaped. Police officers restored calm in the area and returned to base.

However, later that morning police officers again received a distress call from the same area after residents heard gunshots.

Upon arrival, they found the body of Lance Corporal Boahen dressed by the roadside in a pool of blood.

Confirming the incident, the Central Regional Police PRO, DSP Irene Oppong, said the officer was off duty, a reason he was in mufti.

She said his body has been deposited at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital morgue for autopsy and investigations have commenced into the incident.