Accra, Jan 5, GNA— Aggrieved residents of Kansawurodo, Nkroful, Diabenekrom, Kojokrom and its surrounding communities on Friday embarked on a peace walk to express concern on the rampant kidnapping of young girls in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis.
The walk started at Nkroful junction and ended at the central police station in Takoradi were they presented a petition to the Police commander.
The residents led by Mr Michael Grant Hayford stated that in the past six months a total of seven people aged between 15 and 21 years were kidnapped in the four communities.
According to him, the kidnappers usually convinced their victims that they were going to employ them but end up demanding ransom from their parents.
He said in some instances the parents paid the ransom to have their children back, but the kidnappers failed to honour their part of the agreement by not releasing the victims.
Mr Hayford on behalf of the residents expressed their disappointment and displeasure on the way the police were handling the kidnapping issues in the region.
He alleged that one of the kidnappers was traced and arrested and placed in lawful custody but managed to escape from custody and questioned « how on earth can a notorious kidnapper who has been harassing residents escape from lawful police custody ».
They demanded an explanation from the Ghana police service on how the suspected kidnapper escaped adding « where were the police personnel on duty, when the suspect escaped ».
Mr Hayford called on the police, Regional Minister, the media, stakeholders and others peace loving Ghanaians to help curb the menace before it was out of control.
