Five people were shot after armed robbers attacked a VIP JEOUN passenger coach on the Accra, Kumasi Highway in one of two separate robbery incidents involving the transport company within two hours.
According to a statement from VIP JEOUN, the first and more serious attack happened at about 11:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 30, between Apedwa Junction, Nkronso, Akooko, and Akyem Asafo in the Eastern Region.
The company said the robbers used a vehicle to block the highway, trapping three passenger buses before carrying out what it described as a coordinated attack.
A VIP JEOUN coach travelling from Accra to Sunyani came under heavy gunfire.
The attack left the driver, his mate, and three passengers with gunshot injuries.
The injured victims were rushed to hospital for treatment. The driver was later transferred to the 37 Military Hospital for further medical care.
Police officers from the Suhum Division of the Eastern South Regional Police Command responded to a distress call and exchanged gunfire with the robbers.
The police forced the attackers to flee before removing the obstruction from the road and restoring the flow of traffic.
About two hours later, at around 1:00 a.m. on Friday, another VIP JEOUN coach travelling on the Kumasi, Sunyani Highway was attacked by armed robbers at Potrikrom.
The attackers opened fire on the bus, damaging its windscreen.
However, an armed security officer travelling with the coach returned fire, forcing the robbers to escape before they could rob passengers or cause injuries.
A police patrol team later arrived at the scene to provide security.
Following the two attacks, VIP JEOUN reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and said it would continue working closely with the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to improve security along its routes.
“VIP JEOUN values the security of passengers and crew on board and remains committed to ensuring hassle-free transportation,” the company said.
