Two people are battling for their lives after being shot by suspected landguards during a violent dispute over a cassava farm at Okurase, near Adeiso, in the Eastern Region.
According to the victims, who hail from Awutu, their ancestors acquired a large tract of land at Okurase many years ago. Over the years, portions of the land were leased to farmers for cultivation under a traditional arrangement known locally as “Yɛ ma yɛn kyɛ” — meaning the landowners receive a share of the harvest.
The victims explained that their 92-year-old grandmother had given about 10 acres of land to a man identified as Anum to cultivate cassava last year. She later sent her grandchildren to the farm to collect their share of the harvest.
The victims also recounted that unknown to them, the farmers had allegedly hired a group of armed landguards, reportedly led by a man nicknamed “Ninja,” who ambushed them in the bush.
While they were on the farm, the landguards allegedly opened fire, pepper-sprayed their faces, and inflicted deep machete wounds on them. One victim claimed he was struck in the eye with a gun, while another was shot in the head.
They further alleged that one of the assailants initially ordered that they be killed and dumped in the forest, but another member of the group intervened and took them instead to the Adeiso Police Station.
Meanwhile, the Mbratohene of Okurase, Nana Kumavi Amenyanu, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to intervene swiftly to prevent further violence.
He accused the group, led by “Ninja,” of terrorising residents and forcibly taking over lands in the Okurase community, warning that locals may be compelled to defend themselves if the situation persists.
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