Nzema East MCE orders probe into Adelekezo-JAS mining clash

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Nzema East Municipality in the Western Region, Hon. Herbert Kuah Dickson, has assured residents of Adelekezo, a farming community near Axim, that the Assembly will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the recent clash between some youth of the community and JAS Mining Company.

The incident, which occurred last weekend, resulted in the death of a 13-year-old boy, injuries to others, and the destruction of property, including vehicles, excavators, and other equipment belonging to the mining company.

In a statement issued and signed on Monday, December 15, 2025, Hon. Kuah Dickson condemned the actions of both parties and appealed for calm as investigations begin to ensure an amicable resolution and the restoration of peace and order in the area.

The MCE stressed that the Assembly would not shield any individual found to have instigated the clash, which reportedly led to the shooting of the teenage boy.

The statement further disclosed that in September 2025, the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), led by the MCE, arrested some Chinese nationals during a routine visit to the community. The arrests were carried out by the MUSEC Taskforce as the individuals were leaving the area.

According to the release, subsequent interrogations by security operatives in Nzema East confirmed that JAS Mining Company possessed valid documents for a large-scale mining concession, with its operations duly registered with the Minerals Commission and other relevant regulatory bodies.

The Assembly also clarified that during his initial engagement with the Adelekezo community in September 2025, the MCE expressed dissatisfaction with community leaders for failing to report the presence and activities of the company when the MUSEC team first visited the area.

It further noted that at the time of the MUSEC’s initial engagement with the company and its workers in September, investigations revealed that JAS Mining Company had not yet commenced mining operations.

Below is the full release:
NZEMA EAST MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY
Dated Monday, 15 December 2025
For Immediate Release
ISSUES REGARDING ALTERCATION BETWEEN ADELEKEZO COMMUNITY AND JAS MINING COMPANY

The Assembly has taken note of the altercation between some sections of the Adelekezo Community youth and Jas Mining Company, which led to the unfortunate death of a thirteen-year-old boy and some sustaining various degree of injuries last weekend.

The Municipal Assembly condemns the act, which resulted in the destruction of properties, loss of a life, and infliction of injuries, as carried out by both parties.

It must be placed on record that the Municipal Security Council, led by the MCE in September 2025, as part of its routine visit to the community, arrested some Chinese nationals who were on their way from the community by the MUSEC Taskforce.

Upon interrogation by the security operatives of Nzema East, it led to the confirmation of legal documents as a large-scale concession mining company with all checks authenticating their operations from the Minerals Commission and other regulators in the mining sector.

The Assembly wishes to establish that the Municipal Chief Executive, during his first engagement with the community, the same day which led to the arrest of some workers of the company, expressed his dissatisfaction to the elders and people for not reporting the operations of the company when the MUSEC team visited the community in September 2025.

It must also be established that, as at the time the MUSEC team engaged the company and its workers for the first time in September 2025, after the arrest, further investigations revealed that the company had not commenced its operations.

Since the arrest of the workers in September by the MUSEC Taskforce, the Assembly has taken steps to engage the company to submit to the Assembly its roadmap relating to its operational activities until the recent disturbing incident.

The Assembly has also commenced an investigation into the cause of the clash to enable the resolution of the uneasy calm between the company and the entire community.

The Assembly will also ensure that proper engagement between the parties is held mainly to promote peace, harmony, and coexistence as well as cater to the expenses of life and other related casualties if any of the parties is found liable.

We wish to assure the general public to remain calm while the investigations are conducted dispassionately.

The Assembly also expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wishes all affected victims a speedy recovery as well, and will not hesitate to brief the general public on the outcome of the findings and way forward on the activities of the company.

End
Signed
Hon Herbert Kuah Dickson
Municipal Chief Executive