The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAiMOS) has arrested an alleged illegal mining kingpin following a targeted operation along the Tafana River in the Suaman District of the Western North Region.

The operation, conducted on Friday, 1 May 2026 at about 1100 hours by a NAIMOS task force based in Enchi, was triggered by intelligence on ongoing illegal mining activities within the Tafana River, a tributary of the Tano River.

According to NAiMOS, the suspect, identified as Mr. Nicholas Ackah, was allegedly leading illegal mining operations directly within the river, causing significant environmental degradation.

The task force carried out a swift raid on the site, leading to the arrest of Mr. Ackah. Four motorbikes believed to be linked to the illegal operations were also seized during the exercise.

The suspect, together with the retrieved items, has been handed over to the Ghana Police Service at Enchi for further investigations.

In addition to the arrest, NAiMOS operatives destroyed and burned several pieces of illegal mining equipment found at the site, including six Changan machines and four water pumping machines.

NAiMOS reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying operations against illegal mining, particularly along river bodies in the Western North Region, to safeguard the environment and protect vital water resources.