2 persons shot by members of local mining taskforce at Adeiso in Eastern Region.

Two persons are receiving treatment at the Koforidua Regional hospital after they were allegedly shot by several members of the community mining protection unit at Adeiso in the Upper West Akyim District of the Eastern Region.

The community protection unit is a taskforce set up by the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin with the aim of clamping down on illegal mining and logging.

They were said to have stormed several land winning concessions and unleashed brutalities on some workers who had questioned and resisted their operations.

The team have been accused of stealing a cash of more than ¢90,000 after they attacked the sand wining firm.

Samuel Ato Forson, one of the persons whose concession was attacked explained that the suspects intimidated and extorted money from the workers.

According to him, they shot the thigh and legs of two of his workers on duty who had questioned why they retrieved the over Ghc90k from his accountant.

The victims are Razak Hassan ages 25 and Bright Apaw aged 30.

Mr. Ato Forson explained that they alerted the firm’s drivers who blocked the main Adeiso road with their tipper trucks to aid the police and some residents in arresting the suspects.

Three out of the suspects were however apprehended by the Adeiso District Police Command.

According to Mr Ato Forson, the police retrieved AK-47 assault rifles, ammunition, police and military uniforms and other accoutrements when they searched their vehicles.

The suspects, Mr. Forson alleged, have been set free by the Adeiso Police after the police claim the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, called and ordered for their release.

When contacted, the Adeiso District police commander confirmed the incident. He, however declined to comment on the release of the suspects.

He stated that “the case was a fresh one and it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment at this time.”