Five people, including a driver and his assistant, were shot when armed robbers attacked a VIP Jeoun coach on the Accra-Kumasi Highway late on Thursday night.
The attack happened at about 23:00 on 30 July between Apedwa Junction, Nkronso, Akooko and Akyem Asafo. The assailants are reported to have used a vehicle to block the highway, trapping motorists before opening fire.
VIP Jeoun said three commercial buses were caught in the roadblock during the incident. One of the company’s coaches, travelling from Accra to Sunyani, was subjected to heavy gunfire.
The driver, his assistant and three passengers suffered gunshot wounds. They were taken to nearby health facilities for treatment, with the driver later transferred to 37 Military Hospital for specialised care.
In a statement issued on Friday, 31 July, VIP Jeoun praised officers from the Suhum Divisional Police Command for their response. The company said the officers engaged the robbers in a gun battle, forcing them to withdraw.
The police then removed the obstruction from the road, allowing traffic to resume, according to the transport operator.
A second VIP Jeoun coach faced a similar attack around two hours later, at approximately 01:00, at Potrikrom on the Kumasi-Sunyani Highway.
The attackers fired at that bus and shattered its windscreen. However, an armed security escort travelling on board returned fire, causing the robbers to flee before they could take passengers’ belongings or seize the vehicle.
A police patrol team subsequently reached the second scene and secured the area. No-one was injured in that attack.
VIP Jeoun said it remained committed to protecting passengers and staff and to providing safe and dependable transport services despite the two incidents.
The first attack took place across the stretch of road linking Apedwa Junction, Nkronso, Akooko and Akyem Asafo, where the obstruction reportedly enabled the armed gang to ambush several vehicles. The three commercial buses were unable to pass while the attackers carried out the assault.
The company’s coach was travelling westwards from Accra towards Sunyani when it came under fire. The injuries to the five people on board prompted their immediate transfer to medical facilities, with the driver requiring further treatment at 37 Military Hospital.
VIP Jeoun said the intervention by the Suhum Divisional Police Command stopped the blockade and restored movement on the highway. The later incident at Potrikrom was also brought to an end after the security escort exchanged fire with the attackers, who left without robbing the passengers or taking control of the bus.
The transport company did not provide any further details about arrests or investigations in its statement.
