Angry Residents Set 4 Illegal Chainsaw Operators Ablaze

Four alleged illegal chainsaw operators narrowly averted lynching at the Bosomkese Forest Reserve in Dwenase, Tano North Municipality, Ahafo Region, at the hands of an angry mob.

They were allegedly cutting down trees in the Asutifi North District forest, which extends from Dwenase to Ntotroso.

On Wednesday, May 11, 2023, the four men were purportedly ambushed by irate young men who seized their machines and motorbikes.

They doused the operators with gasoline and set them ablaze in the forest reserve.

Some of the assailants, however, turned around and rescued the victims.

Two of the victims, reportedly in critical condition, Ebenezer Konadu and Abdul Rahman, have been transferred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The two others, whose identities remain unknown, have been treated and released from St John of God Hospital in Duayaw-Nkwanta.

ACP John Kusorgbor, commander of the Tano North Divisional Police, confirmed the incident to the media and stated that the police had launched an investigation into the matter.

He added that no arrests had been made as of yet, and the police had not yet contacted the local forestry commission to determine whether the victims were operating illegally in the forest.

In addition, he condemned the attempted lynching of the victims and urged the populace not to disregard the law.