Four alleged illegal chainsaw operators narrowly escaped lynching by an angry group at the Bosomkese Forest Reserve at Dwenase in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region.
They were allegedly felling lumber in the forest, which stretches from Dwenase to Ntotroso in the Asutifi North District of the region.
The angry young men reportedly ambushed the four men and seized their machines and motorbikes on Wednesday, May 11, 2023.
They poured petrol on the operators and set them ablaze in the forest reserve.
However, some of the attackers turned around and rescued the victims.
Two of the victims, Ebenezer Konadu and Abdul Rahman, said to be in critical condition, have since been referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.
The two others, who are yet to be identified, have been treated at the St John of God Hospital at Duayaw-Nkwanta and discharged.
Meanwhile, the Tano North Divisional Police Commander, ACP John Kusorgbor, who confirmed the incident to journalists, said the police had launched an investigation into the issue.
He added that no arrest had been made so far, and the police had yet to contact the forestry commission in the area to ascertain whether the victims were operating in the forest illegally.
He also condemned the attempted lynching of the victims and advised the people not to take the laws into their own hands.