Mother of Seven Shot as Soldiers Clash with Residents in Mining Dispute at Saamang
Janet Koh hit by stray bullet as soldiers fired warning shots to disperse protesting residents.
- Woman shot in leg during military clash over mining protest in Saamang
- Residents accuse Kibi Goldfields of polluting the Akusu River
- Locals demand justice and release of arrested youth leaders
A confrontation over mining operations in Saamang, a community in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region, has left a mother of seven hospitalized after being hit by a stray bullet from military warning shots.
The victim, Janet Koh, a corn seller and trader, was caught in the chaos as tensions flared between residents and military personnel reportedly deployed to protect Kibi Goldfields Limited. The company has been accused by locals of encroaching on the sacred Akusu River and operating within a protected buffer zone.
The unrest began when residents halted the company’s operations at the river. In response, soldiers allegedly called in by the company arrested two youth leaders accused of spearheading the resistance.
The situation escalated as residents, especially the youth, blocked the road in protest, attempting to prevent the soldiers from taking the arrested individuals away. In an attempt to disperse the crowd, the soldiers fired warning shots. It was during this confusion that Janet Koh was struck in the leg while fleeing the scene.
She was quickly taken to Saviour Memorial Hospital in Osiem, where she remains in critical condition.
During a visit to the area on Sunday, August 3, tensions remained high. Some residents and victims of the confrontation are calling for justice and the immediate release of the two detained individuals, accusing the military of using excessive force.
