The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters to take over investigations into the violent attack on the Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and his team by thugs at Bronikrom, a community in the Ahafo Region.
The directive follows an incident in which the Director of Operations and his team were reportedly attacked by a group led by the Member of Parliament for Asutifi North, Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, during an anti-illegal mining operation on November 1, 2025.
The assault occurred after the NAIMOS team arrested illegal miners and seized weapons, vehicles, and cash. The MP allegedly stormed the scene with a mob to free the suspects, triggering chaos that later spread to the Hwidiem Police Station, where hundreds besieged the premises and vandalized property. Police reinforcements and the Hwidiem Zongo Chief intervened to prevent bloodshed and safely evacuate the NAIMOS officials. No injuries were recorded, though several vehicles were damaged.
In view of these developments, the Police Service has officially invited Hon. Ebenezer Kwaku Addo to assist with the ongoing investigation.
A statement issued by the Ghana Police Service indicated that preliminary findings show that on November 1, 2025, the NAIMOS Director of Operations and his team intercepted illegal miners engaged in galamsey activities near Bronikrom. Several suspects were arrested, and items retrieved included a Smith & Wesson pistol, two pistol magazines, twenty-one rounds of 9mm ammunition, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, multiple mobile phones, and a side bag containing cash and personal effects.
While the team was preparing to transport the suspects to the Hwidiem Police Station, Hon. Addo allegedly arrived with a group of men and demanded the immediate release of the miners. When his request was declined, the group reportedly overpowered the officers, forcibly removed the suspects’ handcuffs, and chased the NAIMOS team away.
Soon after, a mob of about six hundred (600) people—allegedly incited by the MP—besieged the Hwidiem Police Station, demanding the release of the suspects and seized vehicles. The angry crowd vandalized the Director’s Toyota Hilux pickup and damaged parts of the police facility, threatening to set it ablaze.
Reinforcement teams from the Ahafo Regional Police Command, led by senior officers, were deployed to restore order. The situation was eventually stabilized through the combined efforts of the Police, the military, and the Zongo Chief of Hwidiem, Alhaji Mohammed Bashiru Zarikyi, who mediated and helped calm the situation. During the evacuation of the NAIMOS team to safety, the Chief’s vehicle came under attack, and its rear windscreen was shattered. Thankfully, no injuries were sustained.
The Ghana Police Service has strongly condemned the attack, cautioning against any interference with lawful operations or attempts to shield offenders from justice. A special operation has since been launched to identify and arrest all individuals involved in the assault and related disturbances.
The IGP reaffirmed the Police Administration’s commitment to enforcing the law and ensuring the safety of officers engaged in anti-illegal mining operations and other security duties across the country.
