The Coordinator of the Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission (FC), Mr Samuel Darko- Akonor, has issued a strong warning to illegal operators in the country’s forest reserves.
According to him, the Forestry Commission will not relent on its efforts to get rid of these organised criminals in all forest reserves and will do all it can to pursue them and bring them to justice.
Mr. Akonor made this known after the leader of the Rapid Response Team in Goaso, Mr. Abdul Karim Jakpa, sustained gunshot wounds in the stomach, and the Forest Range Manager (FRM)of the Bechem Forest District, Mr . Evans Ntri, also sustained machete wounds on his head, back and was severely beaten.
This happened after the Rapid Response Team of the FC stationed at Goaso, deployed a team of 7 men together with 8 Concession Guards, 2 Forest Guards, and one Forest Range Manager, to combat illegal loggers, who had besieged a concession in the Obosomkese Forest Reserve in the Bechem Forest District.
The team was attacked by armed illegal operators who had taken over Compartment 94 and were busily felling the trees.
The team was ambushed by the illegal actors who opened fire on them. This led to an intense exchange of gunfire between the two sides.
The injured Karim Jakpa was taken to the Tepa Hospital and later referred to the Sunyani Regional Hospital, where he was operated upon to remove nine (9) pellets lodged inside the stomach. The operation was successful and his condition is stable.
Mr. Evans Ntri has been treated and discharged from the Tepa Hospital.
The other team members have since returned to their base in Goaso whilst the Ahafo Regional Police Command is investigating the incident.
According to reports, three (3) of the illegal operators also sustained serious gunshot wounds and two (2) have been admitted at the Duayaw Nkwanta Hospital whilst one is on admission at the Sunyani Regional Hospital, under Police Guard. Two others have also been arrested and are in Police custody at Tepa.
