The Assemblyman for Bonteso in the Ashanti Region’s Amansie South District, along with three other people, was arrested by the Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force for reportedly provoking a violent altercation with officers during an operation against illicit mining.
Akwesi Amponsah, Osei Vasco, Owusu Alexander, and Patrick Asare, the local assemblyman, have been identified as the suspects.
The arrests, according to the police, happened on Wednesday, August 13, when the task force stopped an excavator that was actively involved in illicit mining while on a routine patrol.
The assemblyman allegedly recruited a group of miners to confront the team as plans were being made to move the machine.
The crowd threw stones and other objects at the officers, threatened to kill them, and tried to stop the excavator from being removed, according to the police.
An officer remarked, “They openly dared the police not to move the excavator.”
The police characterized the task force’s actions as “professional” in spite of the provocation, and they were successful in apprehending four people, including the assemblyman.
During the altercation, two cops were hurt: G/Sgt. Agblekpe Mawuena Yao and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bawah Abdul Jalil.
According to the authorities, the miners trapped the team in the area by blocking all escape routes. The cops were subjected to live fire when the task force tried to break the roadblock.
Additionally, two people were seen brandishing pump-action guns, endangering the men’s safety.
To neutralize the threat, scatter the angry mob, and capture the excavator, the crew used what officials referred to as “appropriate force.”
The excavator was then transported to the Manso Adubia Police Station for safekeeping and additional action.
X Post Courtesy @SIKAOFFICIAL1
Source: newsthemegh.com