Tension is mounting in the border town of Hamile in the Upper West Region following an incident involving suspected smugglers and officers of the Ghana Immigration Service that has reportedly claimed four lives.
Preliminary reports indicate that two immigration officers and two suspected smugglers lost their lives during a pursuit involving three suspected smugglers transporting contraband goods across the Ghana-Burkina Faso border through an unapproved route.
The three suspects comprised two teenagers who were travelling on a tricycle loaded with the suspected contraband goods and an elderly man who was riding a motorbike ahead of them, allegedly leading the way.
The immigration officers reportedly spotted the suspects travelling from the Ghanaian side towards Burkina Faso and subsequently gave chase.
During the pursuit, the officers allegedly opened fire at the suspects. However, the gunfire is said to have struck items suspected to be explosive materials being transported on the tricycle, triggering a massive explosion.
The blast reportedly killed the two teenagers on the tricycle and one of the immigration officers. The second officer, who sustained critical injuries, was rushed to Nandom Hospital but later died.
The elderly suspected smuggler, who was also caught up in the incident, sustained critical injuries and is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
The identities of the deceased officers and the two suspected smugglers had not been officially confirmed at the time of filing this report.
Preliminary information suggests that the two deceased suspected smugglers were residents of the Hamile area.
News of the incident has sparked anger among some residents, with groups of youth reportedly gathering in parts of the community to express their displeasure over the deaths.
In response to the rising tension, military personnel have reportedly been deployed to the area to maintain law and order and prevent a possible escalation of the situation.
Meanwhile, investigations have reportedly commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the nature of the suspected explosive materials and the sequence of events that led to the fatalities.
Community leaders and other stakeholders are also said to be engaging residents to calm tensions and restore normalcy in the border town.
Further details are expected as investigations progress and official statements emerge.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/Ayamga Bawa Fatawu
