The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has arrested 49 suspected illegal miners following a dawn operation at Adiewoso in the Ahanta West Municipality.
The operation, carried out on April 30, 2026, targeted illegal mining activities within the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) plantation and was triggered by an earlier armed ambush on NAIMOS personnel.
According to the Secretariat, its operatives came under sustained gunfire from armed illegal miners on April 28 while conducting an operation in the area. The attackers reportedly discharged multiple rounds at a taskforce vehicle. Personnel withdrew tactically without casualties, prompting an intelligence-led response to identify those responsible.
Acting on credible intelligence, NAIMOS executed a coordinated cordon-and-search operation between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., apprehending 114 individuals for screening at the Adiewoso Community Centre.
Following verification, 49 individuals were identified as suspected illegal miners and handed over to the Agona Divisional Police Command for further investigation. Eight were confirmed as GREL workers and released, while others screened included students, artisans, and residents with no direct involvement in illegal mining.
Authorities also identified three foreign nationals among the suspects—Abdul Karim from Niger, and Nash Ishaku and Eliyasu Sie, both from Burkina Faso.
The operation led to the recovery of a pump-action firearm and the seizure of more than GH₵226,000 in cash believed to be proceeds of illegal mining. Additional items recovered include suspected gold, substances believed to be Indian hemp, and cartons of cigarettes linked to the illegal operations.
A joint team involving GREL management and the Agona Ahanta Police Command assisted in distinguishing legitimate workers from suspects.
NAIMOS says the operation reaffirms its commitment to tackling illegal mining and protecting lawful concessions, warning that acts of armed resistance will not deter its mandate.
