Two scrap dealers have been lynched at Ntensere in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District following allegations of child theft, an incident local authorities say underscores the growing danger of mob justice in parts of the Ashanti Region.

The Unit Committee Vice Chairperson for the area, Saramatu Zackaria, confirmed the incident, describing how the victims were killed before she arrived at the scene.

“I was attending a wedding ceremony when I received information about a mob action in my electoral area. I rushed to the scene, but before I arrived, the victims had already been killed, leaving their lifeless bodies behind,” she told Adom News.

According to reports, the two men, identified as Alhasan and Nagolo, had gone to the community to buy scrap materials when residents accused them of attempting to steal a three-year-old child. The suspicion quickly escalated into violence, with the pair reportedly beaten to death. Their motorcycle was also set ablaze.

The incident has reignited concerns about mob justice, a persistent issue in Ghana where individuals accused of crimes are sometimes attacked without due process.

Madam Zackaria condemned the act and called for a thorough police investigation, stressing the need for restraint and respect for the rule of law.

The Ashanti Regional Scrap Dealers Association has also waded into the matter, expressing outrage over what it describes as a worrying pattern of attacks on its members.

“This is becoming too frequent in the Ashanti Region. Our members are often attacked based on false accusations. We are not thieves; people should stop killing us,” President of the Association, Alhaji Abdulai Gagala, said.

He urged security agencies to take decisive action to protect scrap dealers and ensure justice for the victims.

“Mob justice must be addressed with the seriousness it deserves. Anyone could be falsely accused and fall victim to such violence,” he added.

Police have since launched investigations into the incident, while the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the morgue for autopsy.

The latest killing adds to a series of similar incidents reported across the country in recent years, raising fresh questions about public trust in law enforcement and the justice system.