Tension has escalated in the border town of Hamile following a deadly explosion that claimed the lives of two Ghana Immigration Service officers and two suspected teenage smugglers, with angry youth burning car tyres and attempting to set ablaze structures and offices belonging to the Immigration Service.
In the latest development, two civilians have reportedly been shot in the legs by military personnel during attempts by some agitated youth to burn down structures belonging to the Ghana Immigration Service.
The two injured civilians are currently receiving medical treatment at the Hamile Polyclinic, according to sources on the ground.
The shooting reportedly occurred after personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces were dispatched to the community following reports of rising tension and attempts by the youth to attack Immigration Service installations.
Earlier, some angry youth had taken to the streets, setting car tyres ablaze and attempting to attack and burn down facilities belonging to the Immigration Service in protest against the deaths.
The presence of the military reportedly foiled the attempts to set the structures and offices ablaze, although the situation has since taken a more serious turn following the shooting of the two civilians.
No arrests have been made in connection with the disturbances as of the time of filing this report.
The unrest follows a deadly incident involving immigration officers and three suspected smugglers transporting contraband goods across the Ghana-Burkina Faso border through an unapproved route.
The incident reportedly resulted in the deaths of two immigration officers and two teenagers who were travelling on a tricycle loaded with suspected contraband goods. An elderly man believed to have been leading them on a motorbike sustained critical injuries and is receiving treatment at the hospital.
The circumstances surrounding the explosion, including the nature of the suspected explosive materials and the events that led to the fatalities, remain under investigation.
The latest developments have heightened concerns about security and public order in the border community, as residents await further details about the deadly incident.
Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/Ayamga Bawa Fatawu
