The brother of a wildlife guard shot dead during a patrol at Kakum National Park has recounted the harrowing final moments of the incident, revealing that the deceased called for help moments after a gunshot rang out.
Benjamin Ahadu, brother of the slain resource guard, said his sibling had served at the park for nearly 40 years before his life was cut short during a routine anti-poaching patrol on Friday.
The incident occurred when wildlife officers were tracking suspected bush meat hunters, locally known as “butchers,” who had allegedly entered the park illegally.
Mr. Ahadu said the team began its routine patrol at about 10:00 a.m. on Friday when they identified an entry point reportedly used by the suspected hunters.
He said the officers subsequently heard gunshots and decided to monitor the movements of the suspects in an attempt to apprehend them.
According to him, the wildlife officers were not using torchlight, while the suspected hunters were, a tactical advantage that allowed the officers to track their movements in the darkness.
Mr. Ahadu said another gunshot was heard during the operation, initially leading the team to believe that one of their colleagues had fired a warning shot.
He said the officers quickly moved towards the area and saw one of the suspects fleeing. While some members of the team pursued the fleeing suspect, Mr. Ahadu said he remained with another suspected hunter.
It was shortly afterwards that he heard his brother shout for help.
“Ben, hurry, the guy has killed me,” he recalled his brother saying.
Mr. Ahadu said he could not immediately locate where the voice was coming from and called the other members of the team to help search for his brother.
The team eventually found him dead, with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his chest.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain subject to official investigations. However, Mr. Ahadu alleged that a similar incident occurred at the park about 11 years ago.
He claimed the current shooting could be connected to that earlier incident, alleging that the brothers of a person who died during the previous incident may have been involved in his brother’s death.
The claim has not been independently established and will have to be tested through investigations.
Mr. Ahadu described his brother as a major source of support for their extended family, saying the deceased was the family’s breadwinner and had supported the education of about 15 people.
He paid tribute to his brother’s nearly four decades of service at Kakum National Park, describing him as someone who had dedicated his working life to protecting the park.
The family is calling for justice and has ruled out retaliation.
“We can’t take the law into our hands, but we hope the law deals with them,” Mr. Ahadu said.
The death has renewed concerns about the risks faced by wildlife officers and resource guards who patrol protected areas and confront suspected illegal activities.
The police and relevant wildlife authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and identify those responsible.
