Massive Illegal Settlement Dismantled Near Subri Forest Reserve
A joint operation by the Ghana Armed Forces and the Forestry Commission has uncovered a massive illegal settlement near the Subri Forest Reserve, believed to be a major hub for criminal activity and illegal mining. This dawn raid aimed at the community of Abrewa Nni Nkran, targeted a population of over 10,000 people, including foreigners from Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. The settlement was previously estimated to house only about 2,000 illegal miners.
Once a small mining outpost, the area had evolved into a lawless enclave, sheltered from state authority and plagued by rampant social vices. Locals described it as a mini-ECOWAS zone due to the influx of people from various West African nations. Makeshift structures used by illegal miners and criminals, including brothels, were destroyed during the operation.
Residents expressed relief and praised the intervention, noting that the area had become a hotspot for illegal activities such as child prostitution, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, and human smuggling. The foreign nationals were not only involved in illegal mining within the Subri Forest Reserve but had also built criminal networks, posing a threat to national security and environmental sustainability.
This operation is part of a national crackdown on illegal mining and related crimes, especially in ecologically sensitive areas. Authorities have vowed to continue investigations and take further actions to restore order and protect the forest reserve from further degradation.
Source: ModernGhana