Jasikan, Aug. 13, GNA - About six masked armed robbers in the early hours of Tuesday barricaded the main Jasikan-Kadjebi stretch of road with logs and extorted valuables from passengers on commercial vehicles and private cars.

The robbers wielding AK 47 assault rifle, pump action guns, machetes and daggers attacked 10 vehicles including three "Burger" buses otherwise called 'Awudu Issaka" in an injury-free robbery operation, which lasted for about 80 minutes. They extorted monies running into thousands of cedis and mobile phones by thoroughly searching passengers and vehicles after ordering them to lie face down on the road.

Mr Kofi Adei-Akyeampong, Hohoe Divisional Police Commander, who briefed the Ghana News Agency, said the robbers struck at about 0030hours and 0100 hours on Tuesday, at a sharp curve just after a bridge over Kunsu River halfway between Jasikan and Kadjebi district. He said the victims, who were mostly traders and market women going to Tamale and Accra via Nkwanta lost unspecified amounts of money. Mr Adei-Akyeampong said a driver hauling teak trees to Accra who was among the victims said he lost 2,500 Ghana Cedis. He said information got to the Police late, with the robbers fleeing through the bush before Police Highway Patrol team got to the scene of the crime.

The Divisional Commander therefore appealed to the adjoining communities to report of any suspicious characters in their areas. A terrified Madam Efua Abokuma narrating her ordeal said her cash of 245 Ghana Cedis, which she had hidden in her panty, was quickly and forcibly snatched from her by the robbers who did likewise to other passengers.