An overwhelming number of irate youth stormed the Hwidiem Police Station in the Ahafo Region, demanding the release of two of their people, as well as two vehicles – a Range Rover and an unregistered Rav 4 – seized at a galamsey site.
Additionally, the police seized a side handbag that contained a Smith and Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 12 phones. They also burnt some wooden structures and mining equipment belonging to the illegal miners.
According to a police report, the arrest occurred after Col Dominic Buah, Head of the National Anti-illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and some nine other military personnel drove to the Hwidiem Police Station and reported that they had spotted an illegal mining site at Bronikrom near Hwidiem.
On reaching the site, one Zakaria, the owner of the site, and Kwame Alex were arrested and the mining equipment seized.
Whilst the officers were at the police station, some irate mob from Hwidiem and its environs, numbering about 600, besieged the station and demanded the immediate release of the two seized vehicles, and requested the police to hand over the soldiers “for them to be disciplined”.
According to the report, the irate mob vandalised and smashed the windscreen of a Toyota Hilux pick-up with registration No AD 7191-25 belonging to the NAIMOS team.
Upon learning of the escalating situation at Hwidiem station, a team led by Regional Crime Officer C/Supt Prince Odom-Koduah and a 15-member Regional Task Force team led by Insp Ofosu were dispatched to the scene.
They met the Divisional Commander (Goaso), Supt John Atanga; District Commander (Kenyase), Supt Opoku Yamoah, and other officers, including ASP Lomovi Quarshie and ASP Akuffo, who were already present.
On arrival, seven male and one female military officers were met at the charge office, whilst two others were at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) office under police protection, as the irate mob was getting agitated and uncontrollable, demanding the release of the ignition keys of the seized vehicles.
The police, military, and Hwidiem Zongo Chief Zarikyi Mohammed Bashiru, who had earlier appealed to the mob to exercise restraint, agreed to release the ignition keys of the seized vehicles to their owners.
“The Zongo Chief offered to release his Toyota Sequel 4×4 to rescue the military officers to a safe location. Col. Buah and his officers were rescued to the Newmont Site at Kenyase under police escort. In the process, the Toyota Sequel 4×4 was vandalised, and the back windscreen was smashed. No casualties were recorded,” part of the statement read.
“The Regional Crime Officer went to Kenyase to meet with the officers, and as instructed by team leader Col. Buah, the following items were handed over to the police: Lexus ignition key, 2 pistol magazines with 21-9mm ammunition, 1 Smith and Wesson pistol, and 1 black side bag,” the report disclosed.
Also, GH¢11,000 cash, 4 Samsung smartphones, 4 other phones, 3 Tecno smartphones, 1 Villanelle phone, 1 Itel phone, and 1 power bank were handed over to the police.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke