The National Security Coordinating Secretariat (NSCS) has dismissed one operative and initiated disciplinary proceedings against two others following their suspected involvement in illegal mining activities within the Oda River Forest Reserve.
The move follows an intelligence-led operation conducted on October 23, 2025, by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC). The operation dismantled a well-organised illegal mining network in the reserve, resulting in the arrest of 15 illegal miners and nine armed individuals posing as National Security operatives.
The imposters were found in possession of a pistol, a pump-action shotgun, handcuffs, and other weapons.
Subsequent investigations by the NSCS revealed that three names among those detained matched personnel records. One of the suspects, Issah Yakubu, a temporary operative previously assigned to the Yapei Axle Weight Station, was confirmed by colleagues to have been among those arrested in the Ashanti Region operation.
Following this confirmation, the National Security Coordinator ordered Yakubu’s immediate dismissal and directed that he be prosecuted if found culpable. The two other identified operatives are currently under investigation and face possible dismissal and prosecution should their involvement be confirmed.
The NAIMOS operation also led to the arrest of two individuals who attempted to bribe members of the taskforce with GH₵120,000.
