One person has been confirmed dead, while two others sustained gunshot injuries following a violent disturbance that erupted during a police swoop operation at Aboso in the Western Central Region on Tuesday, December 31, 2025.

The Western Central Regional Police Command has said that the incident occurred during a security operation aimed at flushing out drug peddlers, users, and traffickers ahead of the 31st December crossover night activities.

According to the police, about 70 suspected drug dealers and users were arrested during the exercise. However, tension escalated when a man identified as Chairman Dela attempted to intervene as officers prepared to transport the suspects to the police station.

Police said the individual later addressed a gathered crowd, which suddenly turned hostile. Some members of the crowd allegedly armed themselves with guns, cutlasses, machetes, and stones, firing shots and pelting police personnel with stones.

To avoid further escalation, the police team tactically withdrew from the area but was pursued from the Gangway area to the Aboso Market. During the pursuit, some officers, acting in self-defence, discharged their weapons.

In the ensuing chaos, two youths sustained gunshot wounds, while another male youth was found unconscious with blood oozing from the back of his head.

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He was rushed by police to the Apinto Government Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police say calm has since been restored in Aboso, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The Western Central Regional Police Command has appealed to the public to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, assuring residents that further updates will be communicated as investigations progress.