A joint security operation at a ghetto near the Gomoa Dominase onion market in Ghana’s Central Region turned violent on Thursday, May 22, 2025, leaving one person feared dead and three security officers critically injured.
The early-morning swoop and demolition exercise, spearheaded by security forces in collaboration with the District Security Coordinating Council (DISEC), aimed to dismantle a newly established ghetto believed to be a hotspot for drug use and criminal activity.
Authorities say the informal settlement sprang up after the demolition of the Budumburam Camp and had quickly become a refuge for wee smokers and individuals involved in various illegal acts.
Thursday’s operation followed the expiration of an eviction notice issued in April.
However, tensions escalated when a young man reportedly took shelter inside one of the structures moments before it collapsed during the demolition. The victim was later found unconscious beneath the rubble, sparking outrage among residents.
In response, angry locals began hurling stones and attacking security personnel with machetes and other weapons. The violent backlash left two police officers and one Immigration officer with serious injuries.
Security forces struggled to regain control of the situation, as the crowd resisted all attempts to restore calm.
The injured officers are currently receiving medical care at the Gomoa Potsin Polyclinic and the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.
In the aftermath of the operation, security teams discovered several slabs of suspected marijuana along with weapons. Dozens of young men were arrested on-site for unlawful possession.
The situation remains tense, with authorities calling for calm as investigations continue into the incident and the suspected death.
