Death of 75-year-old driver sparks attack on police at Atebubu

The drivers, already frustrated by the increasing number of robberies along the Atebubu-Amantin road, accused the police of failing to ensure their safety.

Is allowance instantly strangers applauded

Tensions ran high in the Atebubu Amantin Municipality of Bono East Region as a group of drivers gathered at the local police station on the evening of Friday, January 10. Their action followed the tragic killing of a 75-year-old driver, who fell victim to a suspected armed robbery attack.

The drivers, already frustrated by the increasing number of robberies along the Atebubu-Amantin road, accused the police of failing to ensure their safety. Anger and frustration boiled over during the protest, resulting in damage to a police vehicle, which further escalated the already tense situation.

The fatal incident, which occurred around 10 p.m., highlighted the growing insecurity on this stretch of road, known for frequent attacks on drivers. Many drivers expressed their fears and grievances about the constant danger.

“This area has become unbearable,” one driver said. “Armed robbers target us daily, even on our way to the farms. It’s frustrating that the police appear to be doing little to address the issue.”

In response to the killing, the drivers marched to the police station, demanding immediate and effective measures to protect them. Another driver criticized the authorities, saying, “We are out on these roads every day, yet the police fail to ensure our safety. They focus more on issuing fines through the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD) than addressing the robberies. At night, they leave their checkpoints, exposing us to attacks.”

With their safety concerns unresolved, the drivers decided to take collective action by refusing to work, leaving passengers stranded.

George Mensah, secretary of the Atebubu Amantin branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), shared the drivers’ grievances. “These robbers are now attacking even during the day. In just a few months, six drivers have lost their lives. We’ve agreed to halt operations until concrete steps are taken to address this issue.”

The drivers’ strike created widespread disruption as passengers struggled to find transportation. A stranded traveler shared their frustration: “This morning, there were no cars available. We later learned that robbers had attacked again, killing a driver whose body is now at the morgue. We urgently appeal to the government to increase security in this area.”

Order was eventually restored with the intervention of military personnel, but tensions in the community remain high. The drivers have vowed not to return to work until they are assured of their safety and concrete measures are implemented to combat the rising wave of armed robberies.