— NAIMOS team attacked, vehicles vandalised in chaotic confrontation at Hwidiem
On Saturday, 1st November 2025, the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), accompanied by ten soldiers, conducted a reconnaissance mission in the Ahafo Region to identify a suitable location for a permanent field task force base.
While travelling along the Goaso–Hwidiem highway, the team spotted an excavator actively engaged in illegal mining near Bronikrom. The team diverted to the scene, arrested several illegal miners, and instructed them to refill the pits to prevent further environmental damage.
During the arrest, individuals claiming ownership of the site arrived — including a man identified as a Defence Intelligence representative and another, “Alex,” who drove a Toyota RAV4. A Range Rover occupant was also arrested. The NAIMOS team then set ablaze makeshift shelters used by the miners.
A search of the suspects’ vehicles uncovered a Smith & Wesson pistol, two magazines, 21 rounds of ammunition, twelve mobile phones, GH¢11,000 in cash, a power bank, and car keys.
According to a police report, the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, later arrived at the scene with a group of thugs. He allegedly demanded the release of the arrested suspects, claiming he had been sent by Hon. Collins Dauda, MP for the area. When the Director declined, the MP’s entourage forcibly removed the handcuffs from the suspects and chased the NAIMOS team away.
At the Hwidiem Police Station, where the NAIMOS officers went to lodge a complaint, a mob of about 600 people, allegedly incited by the MP, besieged the station demanding the suspects’ release. In the ensuing chaos, vehicles were vandalised, and the mob threatened to burn down the station.
Reinforcement teams led by Chief Superintendent Prince Odom-Koduah, supported by Superintendents John Atanga and Opoku Yamoah, were deployed to contain the situation. With tensions escalating after nightfall, and electricity going out, the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, intervened to calm the crowd.
To avoid bloodshed, authorities decided to release the seized vehicle keys. The Zongo Chief later used his Toyota Sequoia 4×4 to evacuate Colonel Buah, the NAIMOS Director of Operations, and his team to safety at the Newmont Site in Kenyase, under police escort. The Chief’s vehicle was attacked, and its rear windscreen shattered, though no injuries were reported.
Colonel Buah condemned the MP’s conduct, describing it as “a serious obstruction of state operations” and urged public officials to support, not undermine, efforts to combat illegal mining.
“The fight against illegal mining requires all citizens, especially influential figures, to act on the side of the law,” he said.
NAIMOS has vowed to continue its operations despite the incident, reaffirming its mission to restore Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
