Illegal chainsaw operators assault forestry officials

A group of suspected illegal chainsaw operators and carpenters from Sefwi-Bekwai invaded the Bibiani District Office of the Forest Services Division (FSD) and beat up forestry officers.

Armed with clubs, stones and other offensive weapons, the group last Friday attacked everybody on sight to express their anger over the seizure of large quantity of illegally sawn lumber by the officials.

Military personnel, who have been assisting to check the activities of the chainsaw operators, had to be called in to rescue the workers from the rampaging mob.

Mr Gabriel Agana, the District Manager of the FSD told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the group arrived in a KIA truck and a salon car at about 0800 hours.

They forced open the main gate of the FSD premises and started manhandling the workers.

Mr Agana said he suffered bruises, adding that, but for the swift response to the distress call they made to the soldiers, they might have been lynched.

Mr Agana said the matter had been reported to the Police.

When contacted, Police Superintendent Francis Enorh, the District Commander, said he was unaware of any attack on the FSD officials and was yet to receive any such report.

The information available to him was that the forestry officials accompanied by some military personnel went to the wood market at Sefwi-Bekwai where they seized a quantity of illegal lumber and that nearly resulted in a confrontation.

He continued that the wood sellers followed this up to Bibiani where they sought audience with the District Chief Executive (DCE) to protest the action of the FSD.

Police Superintendent Enorh said the DCE was even scheduled to meet the group.

Source: GNA