An operations team of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) stationed in the Nzema East area has narrowly escaped an armed ambush by suspected illegal miners.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, when the taskforce encountered a group actively engaged in unlawful mining activities within the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) plantation.
According to reports, the assailants opened fire on a NAIMOS Zonda pickup using pump-action weapons, prompting a swift tactical withdrawal by the team.No injuries were recorded.
In response to the attack, NAIMOS immediately launched intelligence-gathering efforts to track down those responsible and recover the weapons used.
Acting on actionable intelligence, the taskforce carried out a coordinated cordon-and-search operation in Adiewoso and nearby communities in the early hours of Thursday.
The exercise, which focused on sections of the GREL plantation in the Ahanta West District of the Western Region, led to the arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners.
Authorities also retrieved a pump-action firearm and seized over GH₵226,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal mining activities.
In total, 114 individuals were initially detained and transported to the Adiewoso Community Centre for screening and identification.
After the verification process, 49 were confirmed as suspects linked to illegal mining operations within the plantation.
Eight individuals were identified as legitimate casual workers of GREL and released, while 12 others were confirmed to be senior high school students.
The remaining detainees were found to be artisans and residents with no direct ties to the illegal activities.
Among those arrested were three foreign nationals: Abdul Karim from Niger, and Nash Ishaku and Eliyasu Sie, both from Burkina Faso.
The operation also resulted in the seizure of significant items, including GH₵140,000 found in a Toyota Raize linked to one Daniel Avoka, and an additional GH₵86,710 recovered from a Toyota Hilux.
The Hilux owner, Ebenezer Cobbinah, was arrested at the scene and is currently assisting investigators.
Security personnel also discovered two containers holding small, ball-like substances wrapped in paper and suspected to be gold, as well as quantities of substances believed to be Indian hemp and cartons of cigarettes thought to be associated with the illegal mining activities.
Officials from GREL and officers from the Agona Ahanta Police Command supported the operation by helping to distinguish legitimate plantation workers from suspects.
All verified employees were released, while the 49 suspects have been handed over to the Agona Divisional Police Command for further investigations.
NAIMOS says the operation underscores its commitment to tackling illegal mining, particularly in areas where such activities threaten legitimate businesses, local livelihoods, and the environment.
The Secretariat further assured the public that it remains resolute and will not be deterred by acts of violence or intimidation in its efforts to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources and enforce the law.
By 1960news.com
