A deadly clash between two rival groups of illegal timber loggers has left five people dead and several others injured in the forested area of Sefwi Agyemadiem, located in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region.
The confrontation, which happened in the early hours of Tuesday, is believed to have been fueled by tensions over control of prime logging areas. According to sources, both groups have been engaging in unauthorized timber harvesting, a growing issue in the region.
Eyewitnesses report that the fight quickly turned violent, with the factions attacking each other using machetes, pump-action guns, and other weapons. The chaos escalated to the point where a Mitsubishi pickup truck, with registration number GE 9075-17, was set on fire during the altercation.
Authorities have confirmed that the deceased were all members of one of the groups, though their identities have yet to be officially released. Police have since been deployed to the area to restore calm and transport the bodies, while the injured have been taken to hospitals in Sefwi Asawinso for treatment.
The incident has reignited concerns about illegal logging and the dangers associated with it. Residents and local authorities are calling for stricter enforcement of forestry laws to curb the destruction of the region’s forests and prevent further violence.
Just weeks ago, the Chief of Sefwi Boinzan and Kontihene of the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, urged the government to take decisive action against the increasing lawlessness in the forest reserves. This latest tragedy underscores the urgency of his appeal.
