A group of Wamfie Zongo youth, notorious in the area for engaging in illicit mining activities, allegedly launched an assault on the Wamanafo Traditional Authority and some police personnel.
The confrontation reportedly ensued after the arrest of some youth purportedly caught at a galamsey site. In the course of the clash, some members of the arresting team were reportedly struck with cutlasses, sustaining head injuries.
The incident has created tension between the two communities as authorities intensify efforts to restore calm and bring the perpetrators to justice.
A member of the taskforce, who spoke to Nyankonton Mu on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, stated that one of the victims, who was slashed with an offensive weapon, may not survive due to their critical condition. He disclosed that the attackers chased them to their homes, accusing them of attempting to deny them their livelihood.
He lamented that efforts to get the police to intervene had been unsuccessful. According to him, the illegal miners have threatened to kill them.
The victim narrated that the arrested illegal miners called for reinforcements, attacked the taskforce, and ordered the release of those arrested.
They then assaulted some taskforce members, dragged them to the illegal mining sites, and ordered them to replace the seized pumping machines.
He stated, “It took divine intervention for some of us to escape; however, they chased us to our homes and attacked us. As I speak, they have inflicted cutlass and knife wounds on my back. One of the victims, who was attacked, is in a critical condition, and I doubt they will survive. I am in pain due to what they did to me. I am currently in hiding because they are still chasing after me and others.”
They told us that their government was in office, and it was their time to engage in illegal mining, implying that nothing could be done to stop them. They threatened to kill us, claiming that they knew top officials and the regional minister, and that nothing would happen to them. The police in the area appear helpless.
He further revealed that the illegal miners have resumed their activities at the site.
He added that there were some officials from the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) who were part of the Taskforce, as well as the chief of the area, who was also attacked.
He revealed that the attackers stoned the residence of the Chief, who had the opportunity to run; if not, they would have killed him, as they went with cutlasses and guns.
By: Rainbowradiooine.com/Ghana.
