One man is feared dead, while three security officers—two policemen and an immigration officer—have been hospitalised following an operation to eject squatters behind the Dominase Onion Market in the Gomoa East District of the Central Region.

The Gomoa East District Security Council and the Central East Regional Police Command jointly carried out a search-and-demolish operation in the community located directly behind the onion market, in response to a spate of armed robberies along the Kasoa–Winneba Highway.

It is unclear how the young man died, but he is suspected to have sneaked into one of the rooms after residents were instructed to evacuate their belongings ahead of the demolition. He was later found lying limp and bleeding on the floor of one of the structures, which enraged the squatters.

The squatters, described as ‘ghetto boys’, attacked the assembly officials and security personnel with various implements—including cutlasses, stones, and sticks—and also prevented the yet-to-be-identified man from being rushed to the hospital.

The two injured police officers and the immigration officer were initially taken to the Gomoa Potsin Polyclinic and the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital. Myjoyonline.com understands they have since been referred to the Police Hospital in Accra for further medical attention.

In their anger, the attackers destroyed two heavy-duty machines belonging to the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) and smashed the windshield of a police vehicle.

Earlier in the operation, security personnel had discovered drugs and offensive weapons in the possession of some of the squatters, prompting the assembly to begin the demolition exercise.

When the situation escalated into violent confrontations, all present—including the police—were forced to flee for safety. After retreating to a safe distance, officers fired warning shots in an attempt to quell the violence.

Six suspects were arrested in the operation.

Nana Adjoa Oboma, market queen of the Gomoa Akyempim Market (Dominase Onion Market), confirmed the development and said armed robbers have been terrorising commuters and market women.