A Takoradi-based businessman, Mr Solomon Ebo Sam, was yesterday shot dead by a suspected armed robber at Eyiaba Lodge, a popular hotel located between Akyem Oda and Akyem Swedru in the Eastern Region.
Mr Sam had attended the wedding of his son at Akyem Awisa on Saturday.
The robber is also said to have attacked and wounded the Headmaster of the Nkawkaw Senior High School, Mr Ampofo Owusu Twum, who was also lodging at the hotel.
In addition, the unidentified gunman attacked a newly wedded couple at the same hotel and robbed them of their belongings, including their wedding rings, mobile phones and money.
Not satisfied with the booty, the robber is believed to have raped the receptionist at the lodge before fleeing.
According to the receptionist, she heard someone knocking on the sliding door of the lodge around 2 a.m. yesterday.
She said she thought the knocking was by the night security man and so she opened the door.
The receptionist, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, said no sooner had she opened the door than the robber, who was armed with a gun and a machete, flashed a torch light in her face and forced her to lead him to the rooms occupied by the guests.
She said although she was not satisfied with the actions of the robber, she had to lead him to the first room, where Mr Twum, the Headmaster, was lodging and the suspected criminal robbed him of GH�500 and four mobile phones.
When the robber asked Mr Twum if that was all the money he had on him, the latter answered in the affirmative and the robber shot him in the leg.
According to the receptionist, the robber forced her to lead him to another room being occupied by another guest and she obliged and led him to Mr Ebo Sam�s room.
�After collecting all the money Mr Sam had on him and his phones, the robber shot him in the head at close range,� she said.
The robber then forced the receptionist into an empty room, forced her to undress and raped her, after collecting the GH�2,490 she had in her custody.
The receptionist said during the robbery, someone mustered courage to call the police but gave them the wrong directions, adding that when the police managed to locate the lodge later, the robber had fled with his booty.
The night watchman was later found, on the compound of the hotel with both hands tied with a rope. He was later rushed to hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, the Oda Divisional Police Command has mounted an intensive search for the lone robber.
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