Troops returned fire in self defence- GAF

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has reached to the unfortunate incident in Obuasi which claimed lives.

They have explained the circumstances which led to the incident and cautioned Ghanaians.

In a press statement issued noted that “On Saturday 18 January 2025 at about 2300 hours (1 1:00 pm), illegal miners numbering about 60 breached
the Anglo Gold Ashanti mines security fence and intruaded at Cote D’or Ramp.The aim of the illigal miners
was to enter the Deep Decline of the mines.”

“The military patrol deployed on Operation HALT II duties at the mentioned location were fired upon by the illegal miners when the soldiers tried to stop them from accessing the Deep Decline,” the statement added.

According to GAF, the illegal miners were wielding locally manufactured rifles, pump action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes.

Against this backdrop, “troops returned fire in self defence. ‘The shootout led to the death of seven illegal miners and one seriously injured.”

” The remaining illegal miners bolted away. A soldier who was also hit by pellets from a pump action gun and got injured has been treated. Six pump action BB cartridges were retricved,” GAF revealed.

“The Ghana Armed Forces(GAF) wishes to reiterate its caution to all and sundry that military personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, innocent civilians, and property, including the use of
lethal force, if necessary to preserve life,” the statement concluded.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme