The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 36 suspected illegal miners in a major dawn operation at Osino in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region.
The swoop, which took place in the early hours of Saturday, November 8, led to the arrest of 32 Nigerians and 4 Ghanaians who were allegedly engaged in illegal mining near residential areas in the community. Photographs from the scene show excavations alarmingly close to houses.
The latest operation comes barely a week after a violent confrontation between NAIMOS officials and armed thugs at Hwidiem in the Ahafo Region. That clash reportedly involved persons linked to two Members of Parliament, Collins Dauda (Asutifi South) and Ebenezer Kwaku Addo (Asutifi North).
According to reports, NAIMOS operatives had moved in to halt an illegal mining activity at Hwidiem when tensions escalated. The situation deteriorated after the team arrested several miners, including a Burkinabe national, prompting thugs to storm the site and demand their release.
In the ensuing chaos, the Asutifi North MP allegedly arrived on the scene claiming he had been directed by his senior colleague, who was out of town, to intervene. However, when NAIMOS refused to release the suspects, the stand-off intensified. Security personnel eventually escorted both the task force and the miners to the Hwidiem Police Station to restore order.
The Director of NAIMOS, Colonel Dominic Buah, later described the incident as life-threatening, saying the team escaped harm “by the grace of God.”
Police have since invited the implicated MP for questioning. He has been granted bail of GHS150,000 with one surety to be justified as investigations continue.
Source: expressnewsghana.com