Four people were allegedly shot dead and several others injured in an attack by unknown gunmen in Garu in the Upper East Region.
According to an eyewitness, four attackers on two motorbikes opened fire sporadically at the Garu District National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Office, resulting in the instant deaths of two people.
The eyewitnesses told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that one of the victims was a staff member of the NHIA, who was shot inside the office.
The other unidentified man was gunned down outside the premises.
The gunmen reportedly continued shooting as they fled the scene, targeting bystanders, teachers, and pupils of a nearby public school.
In the ensuing chaos, a headteacher of the Garu D/A Primary School and a local chief were also shot dead, bringing the death toll to four.
The attackers also allegedly seized a new motorbike from one of their victims before fleeing the scene.
The injured persons are being treated at the health facilities.
The situation has thrown the township into fear and panic.
Edward Ndebugri, a former Presiding Member of the Garu District Assembly and current Assembly Member for Kugri, confirmed the incident to the GNA and indicated that the community had no idea of the motive behind the attack.
“The whole town is in shock. This is the first time we are witnessing such an incident. People are living in fear, and we are pleading with the security agencies to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said.
The security personnel have since increased in numbers in the area with heavily armed police and military personnel patrolling key locations, including the District NHIA Office and the Presbyterian Hospital and calm has since been restored.
The security services in the area have since launched an investigation into the matter.
The residents have appealed for calm and urged the government and security agencies to intensify investigations and strengthen security in the area to prevent a recurrence.
