The Forestry Commission has strongly condemned the forcible closure of its district offices in Bekwai, Nkawie, and Offinso by a group of masked, armed men posing as National Security operatives.
The shocking incident occurred on Monday, July 28, when about 20 assailants stormed the offices, locked them with their own padlocks, and left with the keys—without any lawful authority.
In a strongly worded statement, the Commission described the act as a “blatant act of intimidation” and a violation of its constitutional mandate.
The Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator, Capt. (Rtd.) Kwame Jabari, has disowned the operation, stating in media interviews that his office had no involvement and branding the attackers as impostors.
The Forestry Commission is calling for:
- An immediate, impartial investigation
- The arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators
- A probe into possible links with recent arrests of illegal miners in the Oda Forest Reserve
The Commission has also requested police deployment to protect its offices and checkpoints in the Ashanti Region and has reassured staff of their safety.
Reaffirming its stance, the Forestry Commission pledged to continue its fight against illegal mining and urged the public to report any suspicious activity near its facilities.
FC Condems the unlawful locking of 3 District offices in the Ashanti Region (1)
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