The leader of an alleged notorious gang that targets illegal miners within the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region has been gunned down by unknown assailants.
Justin Afful, the Assembly Member of the Benso Electoral area, in confirming the incident identified the deceased as Agye Nyame Sulemana, A.K.A Sulley.
He said Sulley was reportedly returning from one of his usual operations with gang members when their assailants fired on them on Thursday, March 30, 2023.
The Assembly Member said the gang leader, who sustained severe wounds, was rushed to the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Other gang members, however, sustained only minor injuries and were treated at the same facility.
Elaborating on the activities of the gang, Mr. Afful said they armed themselves with guns, knives, and other weapons and move from one illegal mining site to another robbing the miners of their gold and money.
“He has a gang and they have been terrorizing residents in my electoral area. They mostly block roads and rob innocent people of their valuables. They come with guns, knives, and other ammunition. Whenever the miners in my area are on break, these armed robbers will come around with their ammunition, threaten them and take all their gold and money. Anyone who refuses to comply would then be attacked.
“They came for one of such operations last Thursday evening and were returning with their booty when a bullet from an unknown location hit some of the members. We still don’t know the person who shot them,” the Assembly Member said.
He indicated that a police tip-off led to the arrest of two other members who initially got away after they were attacked.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the Tarkwa Police Command.
Meanwhile, the wife of Agye Nyame Sulemana has refuted the claims her husband was an armed robber.