Kia drivers, traders, and timber merchants at the Akyem Oda timber market in the Birim Central Municipality of the Eastern Region have vandalized the Oda Forestry Commission office.

This unrest follows the alleged killing of a well-known timber merchant by the Oda Forestry Commission task force on Tuesday August 13, 2024.

Kwame Asante, widely known as Ashabee, tragically lost his life when he and his team were reportedly pursued by the Akyem Oda Forestry Commission task force while in the forest.

They alleged that, the vehicle being used by the task force hit Asante, causing him to fall from his motorcycle and died on the spot.

Adom News’ correspondent, Kwasi Azor, reports that upon learning of the tragic incident, outraged workers from the timber market rushed to the Oda Forestry Commission office and vandalized the premises in protest.

The timber merchants claim that this is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred.

They alleged that, though they regularly pay fees to the forestry personnel for timber logs brought from the forest, incidents like this continue to happen.

In response to the unrest, the Akyem Oda Forestry Commission office is now under the control of military personnel from the Akyem Achiase Jungle Warfare Training School.

The Birim Central Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) and officials from the Forestry Commission are currently in a meeting, working to restore order.