One officer of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) 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”.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has praised the works of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), the Environmental Protection Agency and the River guards for their continuous fight against illegal mining commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the 77th Annual New Year School at the University of Ghana, President Mahama recounted his visit to Crown Forest over the Christmas period to illustrate the fight against illegal mining.
According to President Mahama, during his visit, he was told the Ayensu River’s colour has improved from coffee to light Milo and praised the works of NAIMOS, EPA and River Guards.
Speaking at the annual New Year School conference in Accra on Tuesday, January 6, the President stated, “It has so entered the fabric of our people that it’s not been an easy fight. Communities have attacked task forces when they go to enforce the ban on illegal mining,” he said.
Mahama, however, highlighted that despite the challenges, there have been positive results in the galamsey fight.
He added, “There are some positive results beginning to show. I want to encourage the task force, the Minister, the EPA, and all those involved in the fight against illegal mining, please don’t give up.”
“When you go to where they have the animals, you cross a stream. And before we cross the bridge, I asked them, which river is this? They said it was the Ayensu River,” he explained.
“And they said, if you had come here six months ago, this water was the colour of coffee. They say now is the colour of light milo. And so, and so it’s getting better. And so we appreciate the work that NIAMOS and the river guards are doing.”
“We’re implementing sustainable mining practices, protecting forests and water bodies, investing in renewable energy, and strengthening climate adaptation for vulnerable communities,” he stated.
See the statement below:
