The military captain who was reportedly lynched by some residents of Denkyira-Obuasi in the Central Region was the leader of a military detachment dispatched to the community to protect some Chinese engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) in a forest reserve in the area.
The late Captain Maxwell Mahama was lynched by residents on suspicion of being an armed robber while he went on jogging.
According to his subordinates in the military, the officer with the 5th Infantry Batallion (5BN) was the ‘detachment commander of our troops on operational duties in the area’.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Upper Denkyira West District, Daniel Appianing reacting to this on Adom FM Tuesday expressed shock at the statement of the military as according to him, there is no military base or barracks in the area hosting the military detachment.
According to him, the lynched military man was rather the head of a military detachment in the area which is protecting a group of Chinese nationals who are illegally mining gold in the Upper Wassa Forest.
The Chinese, he said despite having a license to prospect for gold in the forest are rather engaged in illegal mining and are heavily protected by the military who prevents residents of the community to enter the forest.
“There is a large number of military personnel protecting the Chinese that the lynched soldier is alleged to be part of it, in fact he is said to be the leader…am shocked they are not briefing you very well but rather claiming they are here to fight galamseyers…,” he said.
He further challenged persons who doubt his claim to contact the police and BNI commanders in his district for confirmation. “As I speak, there are reports that the BNI is calling on the military to help stop it because it is creating disaffection between the residents and the military…,” he said.
Daniel Appianing said the presence of the military is hampering the fight against small scale mining in the area.
“He was the leader of the soldiers protecting the Chinese galamseyers, anyone can confirm it from the police hierarchy here, and the BNI as well…,” he alleged further.
The lynching of the military man, he said happened some days after an armed robbery attack within the Denkyira-Obuasi town.
Military High Command disagree
Reacting to this allegation on the same show, Defense Minister, Dominic Nitiwul called on the DCE to keep quiet and not to talk on the issue again as he is unaware of the facts.
The late Captain Mahama, he said is part of Operation Halt 2, an anti-Galamsey activity which is being undertaken by the military.
“I don’t know who this DCE is but he should not speak on this again because he does not understand the issue…,” he said.
He further charged the DCE to present the said BNI reports which he claims to have to the District Security Committee (DISEC) for forwarding to Accra.
Source: adomonline.com
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God almighty will the DCE and the culprits. Protecting illegal Chinese??? ***barred word*** reportage. The spilled blood Capt. Maxi will deal with you journalists twisting the story baako baako baako!
The people in that town are now crying for the government to inter vain. Did they consult before killing him? Even if he was protecting the galamseyers they had no right to kill him. They knew what they were doing. This is their character. Let the soldiers do the investigation. They show turn that town upside down. The woman who lighted the match to burn the soldier.
this man, God will surely punish u
no one deserves to die but Nature has a way to fight for herself. If the man is there protecting men to "rape" nature, nature will "karma" him!!! So we know from both sources that the Soldier was there because of galamsey!!!
So Let us suppose these military men were actually protecting galmseyers .Does that mean a young life should be snuffed out just like that ?.Le me educate people on how the army works. If a young officer is ordered by his superior officer to undertake a certain activity the officer dares not argue with his superior officer that 'We cannot do what you ask us to do because it is against the law'Jerry Rawlings tried to change the rules with his so called revolution,but the truth is that armies the world over operate in the same manner .Officers give orders and subordinates obey. Simple.What I am saying is that ,that young man and his troops were not there on their own accord.,The people who took this man's life are cursed forever and if I had my way the whole town should be razed to the ground.
THE POLITICS OF LIES.HMMMM.TIME WILL TELL.
Did we spend money to train soldiers to protect mining sites? The Minister does not sound truthful, he is doing all he can to defend the military.
This war against galamsey is going to take some real fighting. So 'this DCE' is not officially known! The President's man on the ground does not understand the issues in his own yard better than the man in Accra. The head of the DISEC shouldn't talk about security issues in his own District and should leave the fight to the Accra people. The President's man in charge of the District should be a spectator in his own home! This fight is really going to take some fighting!
THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS PERSIST HON. MINISTER INTIMIDATING THE DCE WILL NOT HELP
Pease Defence minister shine your eyes. This is not the first that the military is being accused in the galamsey business. First the minister for lands and you said is not true now a DCE of the area and still defending. Please leave your office and go to the grounds to ascertain the true yourself. Don't defend your child when you don't follow him to wherever he goes. A word to a wise is enough.