A violent confrontation between military personnel and suspected illegal miners at Kibi Zongo in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region has left one person with a gunshot wound and another injured.
The incident occurred on Saturday, July 11, 2026, during an operation reportedly involving military personnel deployed to remove illegal miners from a concession belonging to Extra Gold Mining Company.
The victim, identified as 41-year-old Sumaila Ibrahim, popularly known as Agono, sustained a gunshot wound to the leg after he allegedly crossed a red line drawn by the military to prevent the agitated crowd from advancing.
He is currently receiving treatment at the VIP Emergency Ward of the Kibi Government Hospital, where he has undergone surgery. Another victim, who sustained minor injuries during the confrontation, is also receiving treatment at the hospital’s male ward.
However, leaders of the Kibi Zongo Youth have disputed claims that Sumaila Ibrahim was among the agitating miners.
According to them, he was instead one of the community leaders attempting to calm the angry youth when he was shot.
The youth alleged that the military personnel had been contracted by Extra Gold Mining Company to drive illegal miners from the company’s concession.
According to them, the situation escalated after the military, accompanied by a tipper truck, allegedly attempted to seize a quantity of gold dust said to have been collected by the miners.
They claim the miners resisted the move for several hours, resulting in heightened tensions that eventually turned violent.
The youth further alleged that the land on which they had been mining had already been earmarked for a cooperative mining scheme and that the necessary processes were at an advanced stage.
They also made the serious allegation that they had mobilised and paid GH¢80,000 out of an initial GH¢100,000 allegedly demanded by the military before the operation. However, they claimed the operation proceeded despite the payment.
The military has not publicly responded to the allegations, while Extra Gold Mining Company has also not issued an official statement regarding the claims.
The Kibi District Police Command has commenced investigations into the shooting incident and the allegations surrounding the operation.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
