Elijah Timenkeh, 34, has been shot dead at Manso Keniago in the Ashanti Region, following a clash between workers of a local mining firm and some irate youth, Thursday night.
Mr Timenkeh was among youth of the town who besieged the mining concession of Adubiaho Mining Company to prospect for gold.
A private security man guarding the mining firm, is alleged to have shot sporadically into the group of illegal miners, killing him in the process.
A Chinese national, who sustained serious injuries in the clash, is being treated at the St. Martin’s Catholic Hospital in nearby Agroyesum.
The Formed Police Unit deployed to maintain law and order rescued eight Chinese nationals as residents attack workers of the private mining firm.
The Police said the attack also saw the irate youth setting ablaze an excavator belonging to the mining firm.
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Spokesperson for the Ashanti Regional Police command, ASP Godwin Ahianyo told JoyNews, calm has been restored in the area.
“At about 7:00pm, the Manso Adubia Police received a distressed call that somebody has been shot dead at Adubiaho Mining site.
“Police proceeded there to verify the report. When they got there, they saw somebody lying in a pool of blood. He was later identified as Elijah Timenkeh. According to those that were met at the mining site, some youth in the area besieged the Adubiaho mining site to prospect for gold and then the security man on duty at the time, started firing sporadically and he accidentally shot and killed Elijah Timenkeh, which infuriated the youth. They also mobilised and attacked the workers, subjecting them to beatings
“Unfortunately, one Chinese national who was working at the site at the time was also seriously injured.
“He was taken to St. Martin’s Hospital at Agroyesum for treatment. When the Police got there, he was in the theater being attended to.
“There were other eight Chinese nationals who were rescued and taken to the Police station,” he added.
Meanwhile, the security man, who killed the deceased is on the run.
“As we speak, efforts are underway to get the security man who fired the shots, arrested,” ASP Ahianyo said.
According to ASP Ahianyo, the Police are on the alert to prevent reprisals.
Security has been beefed up in the area following the attack. “We have the FPU team who is with the Manso District command patrols. As at yesterday, they were there. They are monitoring situations there. So Police are there. We will ensure nothing untoward happens,“ said ASP Ahianyo.