Forestry Commission officer battles for life after attack by illegal miners in Offin

A Forestry Commission Rapid Response Team officer is battling for his life after being ambushed by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve.

A member of the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team is fighting for his life after being attacked by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.

Reports indicate that the officer sustained a deep machete wound to his knee during an ambush by the miners, who were reportedly armed with assault rifles and machetes.

The attack occurred when the Rapid Response Team entered the reserve to halt fresh illegal mining activities.

Before moving in, the team had captured footage of armed individuals manning a barrier at the entrance of the forest. However, as they ventured deeper into the reserve, they were ambushed by a group of illegal miners hiding in the bush.

The yet-to-be-identified officer is currently receiving medical treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

The Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve has been a major target for illegal mining, which continues to pose a serious threat to Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies.

The Forestry Commission, in collaboration with security agencies, has been conducting operations to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area.

Officials from the Forestry Commission are yet to comment on the attack or confirm whether any arrests have been made.

This latest incident highlights the growing dangers faced by forest protection officers in their fight against illegal mining activities in Ghana.

Source: 3news.com