The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) crackdown on illegal mining in the Ahafo Region turned violent on Saturday when officials narrowly escaped death in a mob attack.
NAIMOS officials were attacked by an angry mob in Hwediem in the Ahafo Region.
In a viral video on social media, armed police officers were spotted mounting a guard to protect the military officers amid the huge and agitated crowd.
Five of the officers were escorted into a packed 4×4 vehicle, which had reportedly been vandalised by the angry galamseyers.
The information gathered suggests the mob attack followed the soldiers’ discovery of an illegal mining site at Bronikrom near Hwidiem, where they stormed the location, arresting the site owner, confiscating two vehicles, mobile phones and two pistols and setting fire to some wooden structures and mining equipment belonging to the owner.
NAIMOS’s raid reportedly provoked some residents numbering over 600 who stormed the Hwidiem Police Station, where the soldiers had gone to lodge an official complaint.
The crowd demanded the instant release of the two seized vehicles and insisted that the police hand over the soldiers for discipline.
Paa Kwesi Schandorf, NAIMOS spokesperson, described the situation as extremely and profoundly disappointing.
He noted that the team was carrying out a lawful enforcement exercise.
According to Paa Kwesi Schandorf, NAIMOS Director of Operations, narrowly escaped harm.
“It was a huge surprise that the locals became agitated, demanding the release of those arrested, and then began attacking the NAIMOS team,” Schandorf said in an interview with TV3.
“He indicated that he survived clearly by the mercy of God. If you look at how they were charged, the rest of the team could have lost their lives,” he said.
“Apparently, there are kingpins who are sponsoring this, and investigations have started. In due time, we will identify those who facilitated this risky and fatal development,” he said.
Meanwhile, clam has been restored to the area, while the arrested miners remain in custody.
The mob attack comes following NAIMOS successfully carrying out an operation to flush out illegal miners from a site at Bronikrom – Hwediem.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, Member of Parliament for Abura-Asebu-Kwamankese and Minister for Government Communications, stated, “NAIMOS continues to strike at the heart of illegal mining. This time, they flushed out illegal miners at Bronikrom-Hwediem, in the Ahafo Region.
They arrested Galamsey operators, including a Burkinabe, at a Galamsey site about 10 meters from the main HWEDIEM – GOASO Highway.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) has called for the immediate arrest and investigation of Ebenezer Kwaku Addo member of parliament for Asutifi North.
This follows the account of journalist Erastus Asare Donkor, who revealed Ebenezer Kwaku Addo arrived at the scene with several thugs.
The MP for Asutifi North claimed he was directed by Hon Collins Dauda, the MP for the area, who demanded that the Director release the arrested galamsey kingpins, including a Burkinabe.
Watch the video below:
🚨 JUST IN:Police Rescue 8 Military Officers from Crowd Violence in Ahafo Hwediem#PrimeRakon pic.twitter.com/02gGkW7oKO
— Prime Rakon (@prime_rakon) November 2, 2025