The timely intervention of police personnel saved the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Denkyembour in the Eastern Region, Umar Ahmed, from an attack by an angry mob in Akyem Wenchi.
This occurred when the DCE visited the community following the collapse of a galamsey pit that killed about four people, with several others still trapped.
An eyewitness, Ibrahim Sanny, told Adom News that Mr. Umar was on his way to Akwatia around 6:40 p.m. when he was ambushed. Police were forced to fire warning shots to disperse the agitated crowd before managing to rescue him.
After several failed attempts to assist in the rescue operation, Mr. Umar reportedly decided to leave the scene. On his way out, he came across two excavators and asked some residents to help move them to support the ongoing rescue effort.
However, this gesture was allegedly misinterpreted by the locals as an attempt to confiscate the machines, triggering the violent reaction.
The irate crowd mounted a roadblock and pelted stones at Mr. Umar as he ran to his car for safety.
