Police have restored calm in Aboso near Tarkwa in the Western Central Region following a disturbance that erupted during a swoop operation on Tuesday, December 31, 2025.
The Western Central Regional Police Command said the operation was part of its security measures ahead of the 31st December crossover night and was aimed at clearing the area of suspected drug dealers, users, and traffickers. About 70 suspects were arrested during the exercise.
According to the police, while officers were preparing to transport the suspects to the station, an individual identified as Chairman Dela approached the team to intervene. After being informed about the purpose of the operation, he later addressed the crowd.
The situation reportedly escalated when some members of the crowd became hostile, allegedly arming themselves with guns, cutlasses, machetes, and stones. Police say shots were fired and stones hurled at officers, forcing the team to tactically withdraw from the area to prevent further escalation.
The police indicated that officers were pursued from the Gangway area to the Aboso Market, and some personnel discharged their weapons in self-defence during the chaos.
In the course of the disturbance, two persons sustained gunshot wounds, while another was found unconscious with blood oozing from the back of his head. He was rushed by police to the Apinto Government Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Calm has since been restored, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.
In a separate account to the media, Louis Afful, Deputy Director of the National Disaster Management Organisation for the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality, said he witnessed two individuals being shot during clashes between police and community members. The victims were reportedly taken to the Tarkwa Government Hospital morgue. Earlier reports indicated that tensions in Abosso arose as residents protested issues linked to illegal mining activities.
The police command has urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, assuring residents that further updates will be provided as investigations continue.
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