A police officer identified as Constable John Kwabena Dogbe, with the Central North Command on Wednesday morning tragically slipped and drowned in the Offin River during a swoop on illegal miners at Assin-Asaman in the Fosu Municipality of the Central Region.
Information gathered by the Ghana News Agency from the community and some police sources indicated that the deceased in the company of two others slipped off in an attempt to join a canoe on the river offin to arrest illegal miners operating across the river.
They also indicated that all the three officers were in bulletproof jacket but not life jackets. The body of the deceased was recovered after a four-hour intensive search and had been deposited at St Francis Xavier hospital in Assin Fosu.
The police source explained that the operation was conducted by the Central North Regional Police Command as part of its ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining activities in the area. However, upon reaching the galamsey site, the illegal miners swam across the flowing river.
The unfortunate incident happened when the police then joined a canoe to cross the river, on a mission to evacuate and destroy the equipment, including changfang and water pumping machines used by the miners.
Meanwhile, the Central Regional Police Command has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of Constable Dogbe’s loss, touting his bravery and sacrifices and added that his efforts will not be forgotten, as he gave his life in the line of duty, fighting to protect the environment and uphold the law.
“His legacy will serve as a reminder of the risks and challenges faced by law enforcement officers in their quest to keep communities safe,” the command, said in a statement. It added that the operation will continue to help safeguard the environment.
Source: GNA
