An armed robbery targeted a shop in Ambohidrazaka, Alasora. The perpetrators escaped with several million ariary after firing three shots, fortunately causing no casualties.
Three gunshots rang out in Ambohidrazaka, Alasora, during an attack on a general store the evening before last. One of the shopkeepers present at the scene fled, convinced that her husband, who remained inside the store, had been killed by the criminals. The couple and their young family ultimately escaped the worst. No injuries or deaths were reported, but the bandits made off with several million ariary.
“I screamed for help, and just as I ran away, I heard the gunshot; I thought my husband had just been shot inside. I was screaming that he was dead. The bandits fired a second time, and I screamed even louder. They fired a third time after taking the money, before leaving. They even reloaded their weapon to fire again, but the bullet fell out,” recounted the woman, owner of the attacked shop.
The attack took place around 6:30 PM, at a time when the streets were still busy and merchants were continuing their activities. Arriving on foot and with their faces uncovered, the criminals gathered in front of the business, which serves as both a wholesale and retail store. Their presence did not arouse the suspicions of local residents until the first shots were fired.
“There were six criminals. Four entered the shop, while the other two remained outside. They were armed with guns and knives. As soon as they entered, they brandished their weapons and threatened us. I fled as soon as I saw them. My husband and my younger brother, who stayed inside, were confronted and ordered to hand over all the money. The gunshots followed one after another. They took about 5,300,000 ariary, as well as mobile phones and their chargers. The police and the gendarmerie arrived shortly after, but they were unable to catch them,” the victim reported.
This is reportedly the second time this merchant family has been targeted by an armed robbery. Three days before this latest incident, they had also noticed suspicious activity.
“Two years ago, in our old house, we lost 5 million ariary under similar circumstances. It is possible that these are the same criminals, as their way of speaking is identical. Last Thursday, two men came to buy drinks and I noticed a weapon at their waist. I already had suspicions, thinking they were preparing an attack,” added the shopkeeper.
Beyond the victims directly targeted by the attack that day, anxiety and fear have also gripped the residents and merchants of the neighborhood. The criminals had indeed sown terror by uttering death threats.
“At first, we thought it was a firecracker or some other noise, and we didn’t react. At the second gunshot, which was much louder, people realized it was indeed a weapon. We were ordered to lie on the ground, under the threat of weapons. They didn’t loot our shop; they only wanted to sow panic. The one who was threatening us only left after his accomplice had recovered the money. We were distraught and didn’t sleep all night because of the fright,” testified a neighborhood shopkeeper.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-28 06:09:12 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/alasora-ambohidrazaka-une-commercante.html