The Director of Operations of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Colonel Dominic Buah, has issued a stern warning to illegal miners against engaging in violent confrontations with members of his anti-galamsey task force.
According to Colonel Dominic Buah, NAIMOS won’t tolerate armed attacks as they are better trained in weapons.
Speaking at an editors’ forum on Wednesday, March 25, Colonel Buah stated, “We will not stand and watch anyone use weapons against us. We are better trained in weapons and therefore warn that anybody who dares, NAIMOS will deal with them ruthlessly.
“It is a problem we are trying to address, and we have the right to self-defence and let no galamseyer miss that. If you go to the field with weapons and you try to fire it, a lot more will be at you.”
Colonel Dominic Buah further disclosed that NAIMOS ongoing crackdown on illegal mining activities across the country has arrested 237 people.
He further detailed that the majority of the 237 arrested are foreign nationals.
Col Buah stated, “We have made 237 arrests, the majority of them are foreigners. 94 excavators have been destroyed so far… almost 3,000 chanfangs have been destroyed”.
“In the field, when we do not have load beds, we remove vital components so that they cannot use the excavator again,” he said.
He added, “At the various galamsey sites, the use of excavators has gone down drastically… those you meet are often immobilised”.
“Every excavator seized by NAIMOS is intact, and the Ministry of Lands will render an account, and the government will take a decision on what to do, but NAIMOS has them safely at various locations.
“Seized weapons too are intact, and I have received letters from the Small Arms Commission and through the Ministry, these weapons will be documented and disposed of.”
His remarks follow, one officer of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) who was shot during an anti-galamsey operation.
According to the Lands Ministry, the NAIMOS officer was shot during a routine anti-galamsey operation in the Bono Region on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
The gun battle is said to have occurred along the Subinkurom-Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality.
The NAIMOS officer was hit in the thigh and was immediately taken to St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, one assailant identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was shot and later pronounced dead on arrival at the same hospital.
The Lands Ministry on Tuesday, January 20, NAIMOS in a statement issued, stated, “The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) wishes to inform the public that earlier today, Tuesday, 20th January 2026, a member of its task force was shot in the thigh by armed assailants during a routine anti-galamsey operation.
The incident occurred in a bush along the Subinkurom-Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality of the Bono Region.
The armed thugs, who were hiding in the bushes, opened fire on sighting the NAIMOS task force. This led to an exchange of gunfire, during which one NAIMOS personnel sustained a gunshot injury.
The injured officer was swiftly rushed to the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where he is currently responding to treatment.
Meanwhile, one of the assailants who opened fire on the NAIMOS task force was shot dead during the exchanges. The deceased, identified as Abuu Ibrahim, was pronounced dead on arrival at the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital.
NAIMOS wishes to assure that despite the persistent attacks and disruptions, it remains committed to fighting the scourge of illegal mining and urges all stakeholders to continue with support for its operations”.