Residents of Nwineso Number One in the Ashanti Region say they are prepared to sacrifice their life to protect their land against illegal mining.

Amid tension in the area they have given operators who have pitched camp in the community three days to leave or face their wrath.

A swift intervention by the Asokwa police on Tuesday prevented what could have been a bloodbath as residents massed up with arms against the miners.

Leaders of the farming community in the Atwima Kwanwoma District had asked people to arm themselves in protest of potential destruction of their farmland.

They argue that Nwineso Number One which shares a boundary with Amasnie West District has seen wanton destruction in nearby communities.

Not even a meeting called by Regional Police Commander, COP Kofi Boakye, was enough  to change their stance.

Spokesperson, Jonas Tawiah, says the illegal miners have until Friday, August 19,  2016 to leave the community.

“It [attack] can be of any form. These guys [miners] they are armed. If you go there they have security there so we are not going to go there with bare hands. The community, people have guns; people have cutlasses. People can pick anything. Even the women want to sleep on the road for the excavators to pass on them. So it's not a matter that we are taken lightly," he said.

According to him, the natives are ready to do anything, including laying down their lives to protect their lands for future generation.

“We are determined to protect our land, that's the bottom line. We are farmers. People travel to the community to buy all kinds of foodstuffs. So why would you sit down for people to just come and destroy our environment and go?" he quizzed.

Mr. Tawiah says attempts to perpetuate activities of the illegal miners will be fiercely resisted.

He wants the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to act immediately.

“People who are with political backers are coming to the areathrowing their weight about  and they want to forcefully take the land and for illegal mining activityies. We've sent resolutions to Minerals Commission," he said.

"We've taken some of the resolution to the District Assembly. The people are still bent on doing galamsey because they think theyknow big men in Accra. So if the system is not helping us,  we will take the matter into our hands and protect our land because it is our livelihood," he added.

Meanwhile, Ashanti Regional Minister, Alexander Ackon who also doubles as the Chairman of the Regional Security Council has refused to comment on the matter.