A farmer has been arrested by security in Abuakwa North Municipality in the Eastern region for leasing land to illegal miners at Okansi a farming community near Fisher camp.
The Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) of Abuakwa North led by the Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Alhaji Umar Bodinga on 19th October 2022, stormed illegal mining upon a tip-off.
The MUSEC team was comprised of the Tafo District Police Command Superintendent Isaac Ampofo and officers from National Intelligence Bureau (NIB).
The illegal miners however escaped before the arrival of the security team.
The illegal miners have destroyed about 20-acre cocoa farms and vegetation and diverted the Birim river.
Some mining equipment such as shovels, water pumping machines and others were confiscated by the Police whilst others including their tents were destroyed.
According to Alhaji Umar Bodinga, the illegal miners opened fire on the security team from their hideout in a rubber plantation near the mining site but nobody was hurt.
He said the suspects will be arrested at all costs.
Meanwhile, the MCE has warned land owners to desist from leasing their farmlands to illegal miners since it is against the law.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Obed Ansah
