Residents of Kumasi’s Asawase constituency are living in fear following a disturbing surge in gun-related violence, with two fatal shootings occurring within the span of just one week. The latest incident, which unfolded in broad daylight on Friday, July 25, 2025, has heightened public anxiety and intensified calls for improved security in the area.
In the most recent attack, an unidentified man was gunned down near the premises of OTEC FM at Sabon Zongo while attempting to enter his vehicle. Eyewitnesses say the assailants, believed to be two men on a motorbike, executed the shooting with military-style precision and fled the scene swiftly. Spent AK-47 shells recovered from the scene indicate the use of a high-powered assault weapon, reinforcing suspicions that the attackers may be trained or organized.
This shooting follows closely on the heels of a similar incident on July 22 at Asawase F-Line, where Abdul-Malik Azenba, the Kusasi Chief of the Ashanti Region, was assassinated in his home. The killers, who also arrived on a motorbike, are believed to have used the same type of weapon in that attack.
The police have launched a manhunt for the suspects, but as of the time of this report, no arrests have been made. The back-to-back killings have triggered widespread concern among residents and civic leaders, many of whom are calling for urgent intervention from national security agencies.
“We are witnessing targeted killings in our communities. The people are scared, and the silence from authorities is deepening the panic,” said a local resident who asked not to be named.
In response to the growing insecurity, a heavy police presence has been deployed across the Asawase constituency. Officers are conducting stop-and-search operations and combing nearby areas in search of clues and possible suspects.
The latest victim’s identity remains unknown, and his body had not yet been removed from the scene at the time of filing this report.
As investigations continue, the community remains on edge, with fears that more lives could be lost if swift and decisive action is not taken. Many residents are now demanding not just arrests, but long-term strategies to prevent what appears to be a wave of targeted violence gripping Asawase.
