A military officer with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has been confirmed dead after the task force’s vehicle was involved in a fatal accident in the Obuasi Municipality.
Four other officers, who sustained critical injuries, were initially rushed to the Obuasi Government Hospital before being transferred to the Anglogold Ashanti Hospital for further treatment.
The accident occurred late Wednesday while the team was returning from an operation at a mining concession in Anyankyerim, which has recently been overrun by illegal miners. Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle somersaulted along the stretch between the Anyankyerim community and Airport Road.
The concession, owned by Mining and Construction Services Limited, has become a major flashpoint in the anti-galamsey fight after some miners claimed the site was allocated to them by the NDC government.
Checks by newsalertgh.com indicate that the miners are receiving support from some politically influential individuals.
One such figure, the NDC Vice Chairman for the Obuasi West Constituency, Alhaji Zamba, has publicly claimed ownership of the concession in a video circulating on social media.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, described the death of the officer as a “tragic loss” and extended condolences to the bereaved family. He assured that the government is committed to supporting the family and ensuring the injured officers receive the best possible care.
Dr Amoakohene noted that authorities are working closely with security agencies, adding that a full-scale investigation has begun to determine the cause of the accident and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
By: Ekow Annan/newsalertgh.com
