NDC MP Implicated in Mob Attack on Nine Soldiers at Hwidiem

 

The Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been implicated in a violent mob attack on nine soldiers at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region.

According to earlier reports by MyNewsGh.com, the soldiers, who were on national assignment to Goaso, narrowly escaped being lynched by armed illegal miners (galamsey operators) after conducting an operation in the area.

The soldiers had reportedly discovered an illegal mining site at Bronikrom near Hwidiem. They proceeded to arrest the site owner, confiscate two vehicles, several mobile phones, and two pistols, and later set fire to some wooden structures and mining equipment belonging to the suspects.

The arrests infuriated some residents, estimated at over 600, who besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, where the soldiers had gone to file an official report. The angry crowd demanded the immediate release of the seized vehicles and called for the soldiers to be handed over for “disciplinary action.”

According to journalist Erastus Asare Donkor’s account, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo arrived at the scene with several thugs, claiming he was sent by Hon. Collins Dauda, another MP from the area. The MP allegedly demanded that the police release the arrested individuals, including a Burkinabe national, and remove their handcuffs to avoid embarrassing them in public.

When the police declined the request, explaining that the arrests were lawful and that due process must be followed, the MP and his supporters reportedly became aggressive. They forcibly seized the handcuff keys from one of the soldiers, released the suspects, and chased members of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce (NAIMOS) team toward the police station.

The anti-galamsey team later recovered a Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, 21 rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition, 12 assorted mobile phones, a black side bag, GH¢11,000 in cash, a power bank, and a Lexus ignition key from the arrested miners.

Authorities are expected to launch a full investigation into the incident, which has raised concerns about political interference in anti-illegal mining operations.

Source: MyNewsGh.com