Residents of Anwia-Bokazo in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region are yet to recover from the shock of the brutal assault and subsequent death of a 27-year-old man, allegedly assaulted and burnt by security personnel of Adamus Resources.
Last Thursday, the deceased, Michael Derry, was captured on a mining concession belonging to Adamus Resources and was allegedly molested before being set ablaze.
He passed on at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital on Sunday after he was referred there due to the severity of his wounds.
Speaking to Citi News, the Convener of the Committee of Concerned Citizens of Nzema Descent, Elizabeth Allua Vaah said the community is still shaken by the incident and they are demanding swift investigations into the matter.
“It’s a really sad incident. Residents, especially the youth, are down-hearted. I am calling on the police to get through the investigations and get justice for the young man. We also want the company to come clean on exactly what happened.”
Already, a youth group also within the Ellembelle District known as the National Alliance for Nzema Development is calling on duty bearers to ensure justice for the deceased.
“We are seeking two reliefs now. Adamus Mining must come out to explain what happened and what actually happened to our brother and that justice needs to be served to the bereaved family within the remits of the law”, General Secretary for the National Alliance for Nzema Development, Clement Blay, told Citi News.
Mr. Blay also threatened legal action against Adamus Resources Limited.
“We are calling on stakeholders concerned including the Member of Parliament, the District Chief Executive, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Minerals Commission and many more who have stakes in this industry, to take steps to ensure that, punitive measures are taken against whoever is involved in this gruesome act”, he added.
In a separate statement, the group decried the failure of the company to publicly respond to the incident and the concerns raised within the 72-hour ultimatum it issued.
It said, it is yet to receive a response from the company to inform their next line of action.
The deceased, Michael Derry, alias Budo hails from Nandom but has been staying in the Nzema land for some time and can even speak the Nzema language.
The Divisional Police Commander of Essiama, ACP Dodzie Hlordzi, has earlier told Citi News the command has embarked on an investigation into the circumstances of the burning of Michael Derry.