Four alleged armed illegal miners, described by authorities as thugs providing security for a galamsey operation, have been arrested by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
The suspects, according to NAIMOS, were apprehended during a routine anti-galamsey patrol conducted along the Ankobra River on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
A statement issued by the Secretariat and shared by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said the task force encountered an active illegal mining site at about 3:25 p.m., where the suspects were allegedly operating with pump-action guns and machetes.
The suspects were identified as Alpha Musa, 28; Rahaman Rojer, 29; Laji Bengali, 25; and Mohammed Agana, 25.
According to the statement, the armed men resisted arrest and attempted to obstruct the operation when the task force arrived at the site.
“The armed thugs resisted arrest and refused to surrender to the task force. Instead, they violently attempted to obstruct the operation and prevent their arrest,” the statement noted.
However, the task force reportedly overpowered and arrested the suspects after a confrontation.
NAIMOS disclosed that preliminary interrogation of the suspects revealed claims that they were allegedly operating under the protection of certain persons said to be National Security operatives identified only as “Ras,” “Mambo,” and “Nana Teku,” all believed to be from Prestea.
The names, according to the Secretariat, have since been handed over to the Police to support ongoing investigations.
Authorities further accused the suspects of causing extensive environmental destruction in the area, including pollution of the Ankobra River and degradation of surrounding forest lands through illegal mining activities.
Items retrieved from the site included two pump-action guns, eighty-two AA cartridges, three machetes, one water pumping machine and two SDLG excavator control boards.
The task force also discovered two excavators at the mining site. Due to the unavailability of low-bed transport services, the excavators were immobilised on-site after their control boards were detached.
NAIMOS said the arrested suspects, together with their mobile phones and talisman, were subsequently handed over to the Esiama District Police for further investigations and prosecution.
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Asiedu of the Esiama District Police reportedly received the suspects.
The Secretariat reiterated its resolve to intensify anti-galamsey operations nationwide despite increasing threats posed by armed groups protecting illegal mining sites.
“NAIMOS continues to intensify anti-galamsey operations across the country despite the risks posed by armed criminal elements,” the statement stressed.
The Secretariat also warned illegal miners against resisting arrest and appealed to the public to continue volunteering intelligence to support the fight against illegal mining.
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