A brutal confrontation between rival illegal timber loggers in the dense forests of Sehwi Agyemadiem has claimed five lives and left several others severely injured.
The deadly clash, which erupted in the early hours of Tuesday, was fueled by a long-standing dispute over control of prime logging territories.
Armed with machetes, pump-action guns, and other tools of their illicit trade, the factions engaged in a violent showdown that left a trail of bloodshed and destruction.
Amid the chaos, a Mitsubishi pickup truck (registration number GE 9075-17) was torched, adding to the carnage.
Police officers have since been deployed to restore order, recover the bodies, and launch an investigation into the attack.
The injured victims have been rushed to hospitals in Sefwi Asawinso for urgent medical care.
The incident has reignited concerns about the escalating menace of illegal logging in the region. Local authorities and residents are calling for stricter enforcement of forestry laws to prevent further violence and environmental degradation.
Just weeks before this tragedy, the Chief of Sehwi Boinzan and Kontihene of Sehwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Nana Ofori Ahenkan II, urged the government to crack down on illegal logging in the region’s forest reserves.
With tensions still running high, pressure is mounting on authorities to take decisive action before more lives are lost.