E/R: Two killed, 11 granted bail in Nawara Mining concession dispute

Two people have died following separate armed confrontations linked to the disputed Nawara Mining Company concession at Nsuapemsu near Osino in the Eastern Region.

Eleven people have been arraigned before the Osino District Court in connection with the incidents, including Nawara Mining Company Managing Director Amuda Yussif Fuseini, military officer W.O.1 Ayamba Wilfred, former military officer Faisal Bodombie Breilli and several company workers.

The prosecution said the first incident occurred on October 1, when military personnel stationed at the company’s entrance were allegedly attacked. Police responded and arrested eight suspects before intercepting a Toyota Land Cruiser.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered firearms and ammunition, including a Smith & Wesson pistol, loaded AK-47 and pistol magazines and other ammunition.

Police said Ayamba admitted ownership of the pistol and ammunition and told investigators he had been asked to recruit people from Accra to provide security for a meeting at the mining site. The prosecution also alleged that Fuseini acknowledged seeking protection because he felt unsafe.

A second confrontation was later reported at Osino involving three of the accused and two unidentified persons. Prince Manu, Yakubu Mamud and Isaac Boateng reportedly sustained gunshot and cutlass wounds.

Twenty-one-year-old Elvis Nana Mintah and another man identified as Aziz were pronounced dead on arrival at the Osino Clinic.

Police said four pump-action guns, a Smith & Wesson pistol, 14 machetes and a box of BB cartridges were recovered from the scene.

The 11 accused persons appeared before the Osino District Court on October 5 and were granted self-recognisance bail. They are expected to reappear on November 4, 2026.

Defence lawyer Francis Polley told the court that the violence was linked to a dispute over control of the Nawara concession, following the purported termination of the company’s mining lease.

The court also ordered the release of the Toyota Land Cruiser after police retained its documents.

The two bodies have been deposited at the hospital mortuary pending preservation and autopsy.

The case is part of a wider dispute between Nawara Mining Company and CMS & A&A PRO Mining Company over the concession.

Nawara maintains that the takeover breached a February 19, 2026 court injunction, while CMS & A&A PRO Mining Company says its security taskforce has faced repeated attacks while protecting the concession from illegal mining.