A deadly gun battle between security personnel and illegal miners in the Atiwa Forest Reserve has left one suspect dead, another injured, and four others in police custody.
The incident occurred during an armed encounter under Operation GREEN SHIELD, a targeted crackdown on illegal mining activities inside the protected reserve.
Among the four individuals apprehended by the security team were three Malian nationals and one Ghanaian.
Trouble broke out after operatives from the Anti-Smuggling and Operation Branch (ASOB) pushed roughly 10 kilometres deep into the forest to target an illegal mining site previously picked up by aerial drone surveillance.
During the six-hour foot patrol, which lasted between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, the team stumbled upon approximately 50 illegal miners actively operating in the enclave.
Upon sighting the approaching security team, the illegal miners panicked. While some attempted to flee into the dense bush, others opened fire on the operatives, triggering a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The security personnel swiftly returned fire to neutralize the threat. In the ensuing shootout, one miner was fatally wounded, another sustained severe gunshot injuries, and four were pinned down and arrested.
Operatives at the scene seized two pump-action guns together with six rounds of live ammunition from the suspects.
The security team immediately administered first aid to the wounded suspect before evacuating him to the Kyebi Government Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment.
The four arrested suspects have since been handed over to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for further investigation and prosecution.
No casualties were recorded among the security operatives. Officials noted that the violent encounter highlights the growing dangers and armed resistance task forces face while enforcing environmental laws in the country’s forest reserves.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana