Stop Terrorizing Residents At Taifa

By Ernest Obeng Anim

Residents of Taifa and its environs have been under constant harassment, attacks and lately car snatching activities by armed robbers. Stealing of car parts are so rampant in the area that people no longer complain when they realize their cars have been raided. What is worrying is that the robberies are not done only under the cover of darkness but during the day when people have either gone to work or church. It is common to hear people shouting on top of their voices either in the middle of the night or at dawn that their cars have been snatched by armed robbers. When this happens, only a few people brave the odds to get out to help the victims and most of the time the robbers are able to get away with their booty. Some of the victims are injured in the process. This is disheartening because after losing their cars they go home with severe injuries which they have to take care of. The situation has created fear and panic in the area and people are resorting to having their own security.

Previously there was a Police barrier almost every night at Taifa but now one hardly sees any. Patrol teams were always seen driving around and police officers were frequently walking in the community so the place was peaceful. Now the story has changed. Workers, traders and drivers who ply the road at dawn and come home late are at the mercy of these armed robbers. Some residents have resorted to taking measures such as fixing electric wires on their fence walls to ward off robbers but to no avail. Others have engaged private security to take care of their property but this has not yielded any results. This has emboldened the robbers because they have been able find an antidote to all the plans of the residents. Another place where the thieves operate is the footbridge that links Tantra Hills and Taifa Junction. The thieves stand on the bridge at night to attack and try to push their victims down onto the highway if they refuse to hand over their valuables and cash to them. Due to this, most people avoid using the footbridge at night and rather risk crossing the highway which many at times cause accidents claiming lives. Most commercial drivers refuse to pick passengers going to Taifa and its environs at night leaving them stranded in town. Those who have places to pass the night do not border to look for trotro or taxi to go home and others who have the means to sleep in hotels do so. Residents are seriously worried about this situation especially traders who have to get to town early to do business to make some money during the Yuletide. Workers also leave home early for work to avoid the heavy traffic that builds up before and during the festive seasons. Some of the residents have resolved to maim anybody caught stealing due to the pain these robbers have inflicted on them. However, they have been made aware that they cannot take the law into their hands but rather hand over the culprits to the police and their response is that they have made several complaints to the police to no avail. Others have either relocated or made plans to leave the area to be free from the incessant robbery attacks. The main road in Taifa has a lot of streetlights that makes the places very bright and beautiful at night but within the community most of the places are dark and during the day the area is quiet. This is because most people go to work on weekdays and on weekends they attend other programmes and church services making the place quiet and attractive to thieves. With the Yuletide approaching residents of Taifa are appealing to the Police to resume their patrols in the area to curb the incessant robberies.

Residents are also entreated to be vigilant during the festive season to avoid falling victims to these robbers who normally adopt smart ways of outwitting victims and operate more during festive seasons. It is the hope of all residents in Taifa and the country as a whole to have a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New Year devoid of robbery attacks.

By Ernest Obeng Anim, A Journalist.