Daylight Armed Robbery at Chiana Market Sparks Fear Among Residents
Residents of Chiana in Ghana's Upper East Region are living in fear after armed robbers attacked the local market in broad daylight. The gunmen reportedly made away with large sums of money and valuables, leaving traders and customers traumatized.
Chiana, Upper East Region – Panic gripped the usually peaceful town of Chiana on Thursday when armed robbers stormed the town's main market in broad daylight, robbing traders and marketgoers at gunpoint.
Eyewitnesses say the heavily armed men arrived around 11:30 AM, when the market was bustling with commercial activity. They fired warning shots into the air, causing chaos as people fled for safety. Multiple stalls were ransacked as the robbers demanded money, mobile phones, and other valuables from terrified vendors.
“We just started hearing gunshots, and everyone started running. They didn’t care who was watching. They moved from stall to stall collecting cash and phones,” said an eyewitness and trader who asked to remain anonymous.
Robbery Details
Preliminary reports indicate that no fatalities were recorded, but at least two people sustained minor injuries while attempting to flee the scene. The robbers are said to have escaped on motorbikes before police could arrive.
The exact amount of money stolen is yet to be confirmed, but victims report losses ranging from daily sales to stored business capital. Traders now fear returning to the market without tighter security measures in place.
Police Response
The Ghana Police Service in the Kassena-Nankana West District has launched a manhunt for the suspects. Patrols have been increased around the Chiana area and its environs, and authorities are calling on residents to provide any information that could lead to arrests.
“This is a serious security breach, and we are treating it as such. We urge the public to remain calm and cooperate with the ongoing investigations,” said a police spokesperson.
Rising Insecurity
This incident has raised broader concerns about the growing insecurity in parts of the Upper East Region. Community leaders are calling on the government to increase police presence and improve surveillance, especially on market days when large sums of money are in circulation.
“Our markets must be safe. We cannot allow this to become the norm,” said a local assembly member.
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