Mining company security guard shot in the head while on duty

28 illegal miners put before court

Residents protest arrest of illegal miners

Residents clash with security officers over death of community member

Gunshot wounds suffered by a security guard with Adamus Resources Limited, a mining company in the Western Region, have left a victim battling for his life in a hospital.

Paul Gyetuah according to a report

Read full articleby Myjoyonline, suffered gunshot wounds in the head, eye and shoulder when he was shot by some unknown gunmen while at duty.

The attack occurred a day after a clash between state security officers and some community members who were protesting the arrest of some illegal miners said to have encroached the site of Adamus Resources.

Confirming the incident in an interview with JoyNews, the head of Security at the mining company, Alhassan Muniru said his colleague has been referred to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) for further attention and treatment owing to the severity of his case.

“I had a call on Saturday dawn that one of my security guards was shot by unknown persons. He was rushed to Eikwe Ho. I followed up and saw that he sustained gun injuries on the head, the eye, his chest and the right shoulder."

“The doctors did all they could, but his condition was deteriorating, so they later referred him to the University of Ghana Medical Centre, where he is currently battling for his life,” he explained.

Some aggrieved individuals last week attacked the Essiama Police Station and caused damage to properties including louvre blades, windows, and cars.

The youth in their numbers also attacked some government institutions according to the police.

According to reports, the attack was a result of the death of a community member who was shot and killed by security officers who were dispersing a group of agitating youths at the Nkroful District Court protesting the arrest of some 28 illegal miners.

According to Muniru, this is not the first time the mining site of Adamus Resources has been encroached by illegal miners.

He noted that the regular encroachment tends to put the life of the company’s workers in danger.

“I must say that it has been the order of the day; illegal miners invade and encroach part of the concession almost every day, and sometimes I have to pull out security guards for fear of their lives."

“There are several times we have to halt mining operations because of illegal miners – they go and attack security personnel at their duty posts, attack workers, and for fear of their lives, sometimes they refuse to go to work,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, the management of Adamus Resources says they are working with relevant stakeholders to avoid a reoccurrence of the April 1 incident that led to the death of one person.