A man is in critical condition after a violent confrontation involving cutlasses at the Akyem Nkwanum New Market in the Eastern Region, which left him with his hand severed.
According to the Assemblyman for the Akyem Aboabo Electoral Area in the Birim Central Municipality, Emmanuel Appiah Kubi, the incident stemmed from a clash between a security officer and workers at an illegal mining (galamsey) site in the area.
He explained that tensions first erupted at the mining site after a misunderstanding between the security personnel and the workers.
“The confusion broke out between the security and the workers at the site, and the security man pulled his gun and shot one of the workers,” he recounted.
The situation reportedly escalated later in town when both parties encountered each other again. Mr. Kubi said the injured worker’s colleagues allegedly retaliated upon seeing the security officer.
“When they returned to town, the other colleagues saw the security officer and launched an attack on him, resulting in a cutlass fight,” he added.
During the violent exchange, one person sustained severe injuries, including the severing of a hand. He is currently in critical condition and receiving treatment.
Security analyst Paul Boateng has since called for swift intervention by law enforcement agencies, urging equal application of the law in cases involving the public display of dangerous weapons.
He argued that individuals captured on video wielding cutlasses should face the same level of enforcement as those seen with firearms.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed that calm has been restored in the area following the unrest.
Police Restore Calm After Cutlass Clash at Akyem Oda New Station
The Eastern South Regional Police Command says order has been restored at Akyem Oda New Station after a violent clash involving groups of young men wielding cutlasses.
A viral video of the incident showed the individuals attacking each other with weapons, prompting a swift police response to the scene.
According to the police, two of the injured suspects were later found receiving treatment at the Oda Jubilee Hospital and the Akyem Oda Government Hospital.
One of them, George Okyere, 30, suffered a deep cut on his forehead and had a finger severed, while another suspect, Paul Pascalele, was treated for a deep cut on his right hand.
A third suspect, Evans Adayele, has been arrested from his hideout to assist with investigations.
Police say efforts are ongoing to track down other individuals involved to support further investigations and possible prosecution.
Our Eastern Regional Correspondent, Osofoba Enock, has been following developments.