Timber Concession Guards Killed near Nsuhia — Rising Forest-Conflict Risk in Ghana’s Bono Region

In the early hours of 26 October 2025, two security guards employed by the timber firm ADRAS Timber Company were fatally shot at their post in the concession area of the Mpamso Forest near Nsuhia in the Dormaa Central Municipality of Ghana’s Bono Region. Their vehicle — a Toyota pickup with registration number GT 3079-17 — was also set ablaze.

According to police reports, the victims were 34-year-old Sani Aliyu and 35-year-old Ibrahim Musa. Investigators say the attack was carried out by an estimated 200 suspected illegal chainsaw operators, many armed with firearms and machetes.

Timber Murder Case Arrest

In a subsequent statement released on 4 November 2025, the Bono Regional Police Command announced the arrest of a 45-year-old motor mechanic, Bashiru Kinda, in connection with the killings.

During a search of his residence, officers reportedly recovered a Bruni Model 96 9 mm pistol loaded with three rounds of 7.65 mm ammunition, four mobile phones, machetes, talismans and other amulets. The suspect remains in police custody while investigations continue. Police say efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals believed to have been involved.

(Note: The suspect’s age and full identity have not been independently verified and remain subject to confirmation.)

This killing highlights growing tensions in Ghana’s forest-rich areas between licensed timber operators and illegal logging groups. Such conflicts pose serious risks to both human security and sustainable forest management. Ghana’s forests are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, and community livelihoods. Rising violence in timber zones suggests weakening law enforcement and growing threats to conservation and investment.

In the Bono Region, violent encounters like this undermine public trust in authorities and threaten legitimate timber-sector employment. For communities that depend on forest resources, these clashes can lead to displacement, income loss, and accelerated deforestation.

The Dormaa area has long been associated with timber production and forest-based livelihoods. Municipal data show that while roughly one in ten local residents is engaged in timber or wood-fuel work, the sector has a significant impact on local economies and ecosystems.

Similar incidents have occurred in the past. In July 2023, for instance, police arrested more than a dozen suspects linked to a fatal confrontation at Mpameso Forest in the same region. Firearms and chainsaws were seized in that case as well — underscoring a recurring pattern of violent disputes over access to timber resources.

In Dormaa Central Municipality, licensed timber-concession firms such as ADRAS operate under supervision of the Forestry Commission and police authorities. However, illegal chainsaw gangs remain active, often clashing with concession guards who enforce environmental regulations and protect company assets.

In the Nsuhia attack, police found the two guards’ bodies about 100 metres apart in the forest, both bearing multiple gun-shot wounds. Their patrol vehicle was burned beyond recognition. The incident reflects the severe dangers faced by forest guards and timber workers in remote concession areas.

The Bono Regional Police Command has pledged to bring all perpetrators to justice and urged residents to share credible information that could aid investigations.

For Ghana’s forestry sector, the tragedy could trigger a review of security arrangements within timber concessions, particularly in high-risk zones where illegal logging remains widespread. Stakeholders — including local chiefs, community watch groups, and concession operators — may also need to strengthen collaborative forest-governance structures. Measures such as community surveillance networks, faster incident reporting, and improved worker protection could help deter future violence.

While the arrest of a suspect marks a step forward, the broader challenge persists: finding the right balance between sustainable timber harvesting, forest conservation, and community livelihoods, while curbing the influence of illegal logging syndicates.

For Ghana and especially the Bono Region, this episode is a stark reminder that forest governance is not just an environmental or economic concern — it is also a matter of national and community security. Ensuring justice and preventing recurrence will be key to restoring trust and safety in the country’s forestry sector.

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