Residents of Sawaba in Kumasi were on Thursday night held hostage by a group of gangsters who inflicted injury to people. At least one woman is known to have been slashed three times in the absence of her husband in their bedroom. About 15 suspected robbers, wielding guns, cutlasses and other offensive weapons openly attacked residents and demanded they surrender their property. Reports suggest the incident occurred at about 8:30, but it took the Asawase Police more than one hour to respond after the criminals had disappeared. Eye-witnesses told Nhyira News the robbers entered houses and moved from room to room, forcing adults and children to run for their lives. A 27 year old newly-weeded woman was attacked in her sleep, and had to be rushed to hospital after she suffered injury inflicted by the robbers. Nhyira News’ visit to area revealed youths in the community were mobilizing themselves to counter any such attacks as they accused the police of doing little to protect them. They fume: “Right now we are planning to do some against them when they come again because we realise the police cannot protect us anymore…. we will kill anyone who will come here again.” Though police in few weeks past assured residents of adequate security, the situation appears to have seen no improvement as cases of robbery are reported almost every day.