WATCH| Armed Men Allegedly Storm Underground Mine, Seize 13 Private Security Guards at Gbane
Armed men have allegedly stormed an underground mining operation at Gbane in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, where 13 private security guards were reportedly seized during a dispute involving mining companies operating in the area.
The incident was reported by Earl International Group, which alleged that individuals linked to Nanlamtaaba Enterprise disrupted repair work at its underground mining facility on October 8, 2026.
In a statement, Earl International Group said the security guards had been deployed to protect workers, including underground welders who were undertaking repair work at the site.
The company alleged that armed individuals entered the underground operation, assaulted the guards and took them to the surface, where they were subsequently held at a house.
Earl International Group said the incident was captured on CCTV footage, which it released to support its account of the alleged intrusion. The footage reportedly showed individuals entering the mining area during the operation.
According to the company, it reported the incident to the police, prompting the deployment of a joint police and military team to the location. However, it alleged that the guards had been moved before the security team arrived.
Subsequent reports indicated that the guards were being transported to the Regional Police Command in Bolgatanga. Further details about their condition and the circumstances surrounding their release were not established in the available reports.
The mining company also rejected claims that the guards had been caught attempting to set fire to underground facilities. It maintained that the personnel were carrying out their assigned security responsibilities while repair work was ongoing.
The competing accounts have added to tensions surrounding mining activities in Gbane, an area in the Talensi District that has been associated with disputes over mining operations and access to facilities.
Earl International Group alleged that the incident was connected to an ongoing disagreement with Nanlamtaaba Enterprise. The company called on state authorities and security agencies to intervene, protect workers and ensure that relevant regulatory directives were respected.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of workers and private security personnel at mining sites, particularly where commercial disagreements risk escalating into confrontations.
Mining operations often require cooperation among companies, regulators, traditional authorities and security agencies to ensure that disputes are handled through established legal and administrative processes.
The allegations surrounding the reported seizure of the guards have not been independently established in the available reports. Further information from the police and the other parties involved would be necessary to establish the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether any offences were committed.
Authorities are expected to examine the competing accounts as questions remain about the alleged intrusion, the treatment of the guards and the wider dispute affecting mining operations in the area.
Source: Thepressradio.com
