The military captain who was reportedly lynched by some residents of Denkyira-Boase 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’s Morning Show, ‘Dwaso Nsem’ on 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.
Read More: PHOTOS: Soldier lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi
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.
Read More: PHOTO: Soldier lynched at Denkyira-Obuasi
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.
He further said that the late Captain who recently sat for an examination to be promoted to the rank of a Major in the Army was sent to the area to relieve the commanding officer who is also sitting an examination.
“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.
The DCE should stop lying.An educated person like you behaving in this way..The law should deal with him.
NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. YOUR EXCELLENCY WE ARE WATCHING YOU
The soldier should have protected his life with the gun by shooting some of people before beating to death oh my GOD
God bless our homeland Ghana,
And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend forever
The cause of Freedom and of Right.
Fill our hearts with true humility
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressors’ rule
With all our will and might evermore
My question to the people of obuasi Denkyira, and the people of Ghana, are we exercising our freedom and rights by means of taking the law into our own hands?, will our nation be made great and strong when we deploy barbaric acts against our own,whether or not they are criminals?, of what relevance is the COAT OF ARMS which says Freedom and Justice, when justice is sold and bought, and freedom is left for the lawless?, why won’t we suffer racism from other countries when we ourselves refuse to understand essence of being each others keepers? We put the blames of injustice on our political leaders and the government. Question is who are the government and why do we torture democracy with burocracy? What are we doing about the people who are protecting us genuinely? Why are we stagnating the future by destroying the present? My sincere condolence to the family of the victim.