Akatsi (VR),— The Akatsi Municipal Command of the Ghana Police Service has impounded over 115 motorbikes in a special operation ahead of the Christmas season.

The swoop was part of efforts by the security agency to clamp down on criminals using motorbikes to perpetrate crime in the area.

Briefing the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after the exercise, Superintendent Isaac Baah, the Akatsi South Municipal Commander of Police, said the exercise was to clamp down on criminal activities and to ensure a secured atmosphere for the festive season.

He said the exercise began on Saturday, December 18 and at about 0830 hours, 82 motorbikes were impounded and 33 on Sunday.

Among the offences were riding without helmet, unregistered motorbike, and riding without a licence.

Mr Baah said two males, aged between 27 and 35, were also arrested at Akatsi Twime, a suburb of Akatsi, with substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

Mr Baah said the exercise brought officers from the Intelligence Unit and Operations Department, which was led by Chief Superintendent Kwame Tawiah from the Police National Headquarters in Accra, as well as others from the Volta region.

“We are currently going through the various stages of screening and investigation so that those found culpable will face the law,” he said.

Mr Baah said those with genuine documents would be given their motorbikes after the screening.

He appealed to members of the public, whose motorbikes were stolen, to report with their documents to aid investigations.

Meanwhile, the Volta Regional Police Command, in a statement, said the operation would continue throughout the region to ensure a safe atmosphere for the celebration of the Yuletide.

The statement, signed by DSP Efia Tenge, the Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Police Service, said the exercise was also carried out in Ketu South.

“The operation will continue throughout the region to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere for the celebration of the Yuletide,” the statement said.

The GNA observed that there was total compliance by some riders after the exercise whilst some riders popularly called ‘okada’ have also decided not to work in the interim.

Source: Ghana News Agency