The Bono Regional Police Command has arrested nine suspects in connection with the robbery of a mobile money vendor and the fatal shooting of a man at Fiapre-Zongo in the Sunyani West Municipality.

The suspects are assisting police with investigations and will be processed for court, according to a statement signed by the Bono Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, August 5, at about 8:00 p.m., when police received a distress call reporting an ongoing robbery at Fiapre.

"Personnel responded swiftly to the scene; however, the perpetrators had fled before their arrival. The attack was targeted at a mobile money vendor," the police said.

Police identified the victims as Amina Abu, 30, the mobile money vendor, Khadija Abu, 23, Anifa Tanko, 24, and Ibrahim Osei, 40, all of whom sustained pellet wounds during the attack.

During a search of the area, Police officers also found an unidentified man with severe injuries behind Ibrahim Osei's house, with a black mask lying beside him.

All five victims were rushed to the Sunyani Teaching Hospital for treatment. However, Ibrahim Osei died on arrival, while the unidentified man later died while receiving medical attention.

The bodies of Ibrahim Osei and the unidentified man have been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation, identification and autopsy.

Investigators indicated, according to the release, that Amina Abu was robbed of GH₵30,000 during the attack.

Police also recovered six spent BB cartridge casings from the crime scene for forensic examination.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects got off a cattle truck travelling towards Berekum before carrying out the robbery.

"The Twumasikrom checkpoint on the Fiapre Berekum road was alerted to intercept two vehicles carrying cattle. Nine suspects have been arrested to assist with the investigation into the incident. They will be processed for prosecution," the statement said.

The Bono Regional Police Command says efforts are continuing to track down other suspects believed to have escaped.

"The command assures the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining perpetrators who are still at large and bring them to face the full rigours of the law," Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah stated.

Meanwhile, Fiapre, which hosts a large number of students from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), has become a source of concern following the incident.

The situation has sparked fear and anxiety among the student body, prompting the circulation of messages from the students' leadership urging them to remain security-conscious.

"If you are around the Fiapre Toll Booth area, please stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement," the message advised.

The student leadership further urged colleagues to "exercise extreme caution, avoid the area if possible, and follow updates from the security authorities. Stay safe and look out for one another."