A 24-year-old tricycle (Pragya) rider, Bernard Kyere, was found shot dead in his vehicle in the early hours of Saturday, sending shockwaves through the Berekum community and sparking fears among his colleagues.

The incident, which occurred between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. at Sofokyere, a suburb of Berekum, marks a distressing escalation in what tricycle riders say is a pattern of violent attacks.

The Chairman of the Auto Rickshaw Riders at the Biadan Station, Nana Yusuf Bakari, was among the first to visit the crime scene.

He recounted rushing to the location with police to confirm the tragic discovery.

According to him, the victim was shot in the head and left lifeless inside his tricycle.

"This is the third such attack in the area," Nana Bakari stated in an interview with Adom News reporter Dominic Donyina, expressing grave concerns over the escalating violence.

He warned that if the attacks persist, Pragya riders may be forced to suspend their operations in the Sofokyere area, particularly during the night, to protect their safety.

This potential disruption would have a significant impact on local transport services, which rely heavily on these tricycles for mobility, especially after dark.

The deceased's father, Seth Kyeret, expressed his deep shock and grief over the loss of his son. He recounted receiving the devastating news from some riders around 3 a.m. on Saturday.

He explained that Bernard had been home on Friday evening before receiving a phone call around 8 p.m. and leaving with his tricycle for what he assumed were his usual night rounds.

"Believing his son is on his usual night rounds, he goes to bed only to be informed at dawn that his son is killed," the father stated, his voice filled with sorrow.

He has since made a passionate plea to the security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into his son's death and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Holy Family Catholic Hospital morgue as police continue their investigation.

The police have yet to release an official statement regarding the arrest of any suspects. The incident has intensified calls from the public and local transport unions for increased police patrols and a stronger security presence in the Berekum Municipality to curb such violent crimes.