The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has apprehended five individuals impersonating security personnel while extorting illegal miners in the Western Region.
The suspects, reportedly wearing military camouflage, were operating in Hiawa, Amenfi Central Municipality, demanding payments from miners to allow illegal operations to continue. Authorities identified the group as Joshua B. Andrews, 55; George Obin Jaku, 48; Dominic Gansa, 45; Issa Bantio, 38; and Alhassan Ibrahim, 38.
NAIMOS officers recovered a pistol with two magazines, NATO pepper sprays, three cutlasses, a shocker, helmets, and handcuffs. They also confiscated 150,000 cedis from the group. The suspects have been handed over to the Wassa Akropong Police for further investigations.
In related operations, NAIMOS has been cracking down on illegal mining camps in Ashanti Region, particularly at Agyenaso in the Bekwai Municipality. Authorities seized three excavators, pumping equipment, and three pump-action guns during the raids, which are ongoing.
The crackdown follows months of intelligence gathering indicating that the gang had been extorting miners for large sums. Officials emphasised the operations aim to curb the proliferation of illegal mining and protect communities from related criminal activities.
Separately, NAIMOS provided an update on a previous incident in which a 14-year-old boy died during a confrontation with the security team of Yas Mining Company over land degradation and water pollution concerns. Several demonstrators and eight Chinese nationals were arrested at the time. The Attorney-General’s office has since discontinued the case, prompting further inquiries into the decision.
NAIMOS has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling illegal mining, emphasizing that illegal operators and impostors will face strict prosecution under Ghanaian law.