One Dead, Two Injured in Police–Galamsey Clash at Jacobu

One illegal miner has been confirmed dead, while at least two others sustained gunshot injuries following a confrontation between police personnel and suspected illegal miners at Sukuumu near Bepotenten in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.

According to information gathered by Swiftnews3, the police moved to the illegal mining site to seize weapons allegedly in the possession of the miners. The situation, however, escalated when some of the miners reportedly resisted the operation and hurled insults at the officers.

Eyewitnesses claim that one of the miners, who was shouting loudly, allegedly rushed towards the police in an attempt to disarm them. In an effort to protect themselves and prevent being overpowered, the police reportedly fired warning shots into the air. Unfortunately, one of the bullets allegedly struck the miner in the head, resulting in his death.

Preliminary reports further indicate that the police had earlier seized a firearm belonging to the galamsey group. Attempts by the miners to retrieve the weapon allegedly led to a brief shootout, leaving at least three people injured.

A video sighted by Swiftnews3 shows the deceased miner lying on the ground as his colleagues looked on helplessly. Another clip from the same incident captures an injured miner who had sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, leaving him in severe distress.

The injured persons were rushed to a nearby health facility for treatment, while the body of the deceased has been deposited at the morgue pending autopsy.

Police authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but investigations are said to be underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the clash.

The incident has renewed public concern over the dangers associated with illegal mining activities in the Ashanti Region and the need for intensified efforts to curb galamsey-related violence.