The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC), has executed a major intelligence-led operation that successfully dismantled entrenched illegal mining networks within the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
The coordinated mission, carried out on Thursday, October 23, led to the arrest of several illegal miners and nine armed imposters posing as National Security operatives.
According to a statement from NAIMOS, the operation was meticulously planned by its Headquarters and the Ashanti REGSEC to restore law and order in one of Ghana’s most environmentally degraded forest reserves.
Three tactical teams were deployed across the forest to secure access routes and apprehend suspects.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives intercepted several illegal miners attempting to flee on motorbikes.
Fifteen suspects were apprehended after admitting they had received advance warnings about the taskforce’s approach.
During the same mission, officers encountered nine armed men dressed in khaki uniforms who falsely claimed to be National Security personnel.
The imposters, said to be acting under the orders of a man identified as “Major Jabari,” were found with one pistol containing three rounds of ammunition, a toy pistol, a pump-action shotgun with three cartridges, two handcuffs, and eight pouches.
These items were seized for further investigation.