A brutal confrontation between two rival groups of illegal timber loggers in Sefwi Agyemadiem, Juaboso District, has left five people dead and several others severely injured.
The clash, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, was sparked by a long-standing dispute over control of prime logging areas in the Western North Region.
Eyewitnesses described the violent scene, with both groups wielding machetes, pump-action guns, and other tools used in their illicit activities. The situation quickly escalated, resulting in fatalities and destruction, including the burning of a Mitsubishi pickup truck.
The identities of the deceased, all members of one faction, have yet to be confirmed by authorities. Police personnel have been deployed to the area to retrieve the bodies and restore calm. The injured have been transported to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
The incident has heightened concerns over illegal logging and its impact on the region’s forests. Residents and local authorities are urging stricter enforcement of forestry laws to curb the growing lawlessness.
The chief of Sefwi Boinzan, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, had warned of rising tensions among illegal loggers just weeks before the clash, calling on the government to take decisive action.
