Five people are dead and several others injured following a violent clash between rival illegal timber logging groups in Sehwi Agyemadiem, Juaboso District, Western North Region.
The fatal confrontation occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, stemming from escalating tensions over control of prime logging areas.
The groups, engaged in unauthorized timber harvesting, clashed with machetes and pump-action guns.
Eyewitnesses report the situation quickly spiraled out of control, resulting in the deaths of five members of one group. A Mitsubishi pickup truck was also set ablaze during the altercation.
Police have been deployed to the area to recover the bodies and restore order. The injured have been transported to Sefwi Asawinso hospitals for treatment.
The incident has sparked widespread concern about the growing problem of illegal logging in the region. Residents and local authorities are demanding stricter enforcement of forestry laws to protect the area’s forests from further exploitation.
