NAIMOS Director Attacked By Thugs Led By MP During Anti-Illegal Mining Operation In Ahafo Region
A reconnaissance mission by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the Ahafo Region turned chaotic after the Director of Operations and his military escort were violently attacked by thugs allegedly led by a sitting Member of Parliament (MP).
According to a detailed incident report, the Director of Operations, Colonel Buah, and his team of ten (10) soldiers were in the region to identify a suitable location for the permanent deployment of a NAIMOS field task force.
The move forms part of the Secretariat’s strategy to strengthen and sustain operations against illegal mining (galamsey).
While traveling along the Goaso–Hwidiem highway, the team spotted an excavator engaged in active mining near Bronikrom. Upon arrival at the scene, several miners were arrested and instructed to refill the pits they had dug.
One of the suspects was directed to call the site owner, leading to the arrival of three men including one who identified himself as a Defence Intelligence representative from Ahafo, another named Alex, who arrived in a Toyota RAV4, and a third in a Range Rover, all of whom were apprehended.
A search of the suspects’ vehicles uncovered alarming evidence, including:
One Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines and 21 rounds of 9mm ammunition, twelve mobile phones and GHS 11,000 in cash
As the NAIMOS team prepared to transport the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, the MP for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo arrived at the scene with several armed thugs.
The MP claimed to be acting on behalf of Hon. Collins Dauda, the MP for Asutifi South, and demanded the immediate release of the arrested illegal miners, including a Burkinabe national, insisting that “locals should not see them in handcuffs.”
When the Director of Operations refused the unlawful demand, the MP and his men forcibly snatched the handcuff keys from a soldier, freed the suspects, and chased the NAIMOS team as they made their way to the police station.
Upon arrival, the situation escalated as a crowd of about 600 people, reportedly mobilized by the MP, besieged the Hwidiem Police Station demanding the release of the suspects and seized vehicles.
The mob vandalized the Director’s Toyota Hilux and threatened to burn down the police station, forcing the police to issue a distress call.
Senior police officers, including Chief Superintendent Prince Odom-Koduah, the Ahafo Regional Crime Officer, led a 15-member reinforcement team alongside divisional and district commanders from Goaso and Kenyase to restore order.
Despite their efforts, tensions remained high until Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, intervened and appealed for calm.
As darkness fell and the power went out, a joint decision was made to release the keys to the seized vehicles to defuse the situation.
The Zongo Chief then offered his Toyota Sequoia SUV to help evacuate Colonel Buah and his team under police escort to the Newmont site in Kenyase.
During the evacuation, the soldiers were attacked, and the Chief’s vehicle’s rear windscreen was shattered, though no injuries were reported.
In a statement following the incident, Colonel Buah described the MPs’ actions as a direct obstruction of justice and interference in lawful operations.
About the Author
