On Wednesday afternoon, the usually tranquil banks of the Ankobra River at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality became the scene of a dramatic confrontation.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force, on a routine patrol at around 3:25 p.m., stumbled upon what appeared to be an illegal mining site nestled within the dense Western Region forest.
As the officers approached the site, they were met by four men brandishing machetes and pump-action guns. These armed suspects, later identified as Alpha Musa, 28; Rahaman Rojer, 29; Laji Bengali, 25; and Mohammed Agana, 25, were allegedly acting as both security personnel and active participants in the illicit operation. Undeterred by the show of force, the NAIMOS task force moved in to make arrests.
The confrontation quickly escalated as the suspects resisted, refusing to surrender peacefully. Instead, they attempted to obstruct the officers and disrupt the operation. Despite the resistance, the task force managed to disarm and subdue the four men, successfully apprehending them on the spot.
Upon detaining the suspects, officers conducted a thorough search of the site. The haul included two pump-action guns, 82 AA cartridges, three machetes, a water pumping machine, and two SDLG control boards believed to belong to excavators used in the illegal mining process. Two excavators were also found, but were immobilized by removing their control boards due to a lack of immediate transport.
Interrogation revealed a startling claim: the suspects alleged they were operating under the orders of individuals known only as Ras, Mambo, and Nana Teku, said to be affiliated with National Security and hailing from Prestea. NAIMOS handed these names over to the police, where ongoing investigations are now underway.
The environmental toll caused by the suspects was evident, with large swathes of land and forest destroyed and pollution seeping into the Ankobra River. After initial interrogation, the suspects and their belongings, including mobile phones and a talisman, were handed over to the Esiama District Police, where Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Asiedu received them for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Despite increasing threats from armed criminal groups, NAIMOS reaffirmed its determination to persist with anti-illegal mining operations nationwide. The Secretariat cautioned illegal miners and armed groups against resistance, warning that reckless defiance would not deter the task force. NAIMOS also extended gratitude to the public, acknowledging the crucial role of community intelligence in the ongoing fight against illegal mining.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com