Two scrap dealers have been lynched in Ntensere following allegations of an attempted child abduction, in an incident that has heightened fear among operators in the metal scrap trade and renewed concerns over mob justice.
The killings occurred on Sunday, March 15, after a nine-year-old girl reportedly raised an alarm, claiming one of the men had placed her three-year-old brother in a sack. Residents quickly mobilized, confronting the suspects and escalating tensions in the community.
One of the accused was reportedly beaten to death at the scene, while the second fled but was later tracked to a nearby scrap facility, where he was attacked with stones and other objects and killed. Bloodstains were still visible on a building near one of the locations on Monday.
However, eyewitness accounts have since provided conflicting details about the alleged abduction. The young girl later clarified that her brother was rescued unharmed, raising questions about the circumstances that led to the fatal attacks.
Condemning the incident, community member Godfred Amoah called for stronger engagement to curb mob violence, warning against the dangers of what he described as “instant justice.”
Leaders of the Metal Scrap Dealers Association in the Ashanti Region have also expressed concern over the safety of their members. The association’s regional head, Abubakar Aminu Champang, appealed to authorities to ensure justice and protect scrap dealers from further attacks.
He urged intervention from national figures, including President John Dramani Mahama, the Interior Minister, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief Justice, stressing that repeated acts of mob violence could trigger broader instability if not addressed.
“Instant justice is not good for society… Justice must prevail,” Champang said, also calling on regional security authorities to act swiftly.
Police at Kokoben have launched an investigation into the incident.
Local opinion leaders note that this is not the first time scrap dealers in Ntensere have been accused of criminal activity and subjected to mob attacks, underscoring longstanding tensions between residents and those in the scrap metal business.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
