Four passengers are currently receiving treatment at the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital after suspected armed robbers opened fire on a commercial vehicle at Buduatta Junction along the Kasoa-Winneba Highway. One of the assailants has been arrested by the police.
The attack occurred at dawn around 1:00am when the robbers blocked the highway and began robbing commuters at gunpoint.
A Toyota Hiace minibus, which was carrying passengers, came under fire when the driver attempted to stop.
Four passengers sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.
Police say this is part of a pattern of armed robberies in the Gomoa East District, particularly between May and June this year, with victims previously attacked around Potsin Junction and Okyereko Junction.
Due to increased police checkpoints in those areas, the robbers are suspected to have relocated their operations to Buduatta Junction.
According to the Central East Regional Police Command, officers from the Formed Police Unit (FPU) and the Kasoa Divisional SWAT team responded swiftly to the scene.
The wounded passengers were rushed to the hospital, and the affected vehicle was escorted to the Dominase District Police Command.
While returning from the operation, officers encountered two suspicious individuals near the Onion Market around 2:30 a.m. One fled into the bush, but the other was arrested.
Upon search, three mobile phones belonging to the passengers were found on him, and he was positively identified by both the driver and some of the passengers.
The arrested suspect has since been transferred to the Central East Regional Police Command for further interrogation, while all four victims remain hospitalised.
Meanwhile, officers at the Gomoa Dominase District Police Command have raised concerns about inadequate resources.
They say the station lacks vehicles and sufficient personnel to effectively combat the increasing robberies in the area.
They are appealing to the government and the Inspector General of Police to urgently address these challenges to help safeguard lives and property.
