The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAiMOS) has carried out a major enforcement operation at Groso township along the Offin River in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region, resulting in the arrest of fifteen (15) suspected illegal miners and the destruction of mining equipment used in active operations.

The operation, executed by a taskforce deployed from the Ashanti Region, followed credible intelligence indicating that illegal miners who had previously been dispersed had returned to the site and resumed their activities along the river.

Acting swiftly on the information, the team moved from its base at about 10:30 hours to the identified location.

Upon arrival, the taskforce encountered several individuals actively engaged in illegal mining along the river.

A coordinated operation led to the arrest of fifteen suspects, comprising eleven males and four females.

Among them were two foreign nationals, a Nigerien and a Togolese, highlighting the cross-border dimension of the illegal activity.

All suspects were identified as residents of Nyinawusu, a community repeatedly linked to mining activities along the Offin corridor.

The suspects include Beauty Siame, 32, from Dabala; Hassana Mutaspha, 20, from Techiman; Favor Agbemazi, 19, from Sokagope; Safia Kunusu, 35, a Togolese national; Ibrahim Issah, 25; Wahab Afane, 26; Gilbert Banongkore, 20; Hamza Sullemana, 17; Kwabena Dzibolo, 16; Francis Kwaku Amuzu, 25; Haruna Razak, 19; Bashiru Sullemana, 19, a Nigerien national; Isaac Aning, 21; and Rashid Sallah, 21.

Further inspection of the site led to the seizure of the monitor and ignition key of a Sany SY 215 excavator, which had been deliberately removed by operators in an attempt to safeguard critical components.

One alluvial mining machine found operating directly within the Offin River was destroyed, dealing a significant blow to the illegal operation and helping to curb ongoing environmental degradation.

Additionally, four excavators were found at the site, all locked with their monitors removed, suggesting that operators had fled ahead of the taskforce’s arrival.

The fifteen suspects, along with their mobile phones, have been handed over to the Upper Denkyira West District Police Command at Diaso for further investigations and possible prosecution.

The seized excavator components remain in the custody of NAiMOS pending completion of administrative procedures.

The operation underscores a persistent challenge in the fight against illegal mining operators frequently return to previously disrupted sites, often with the same equipment and workforce.

NAIiOS has reiterated its commitment to sustained operations along the Offin River and other affected areas, assuring the public that renewed illegal mining enclaves will not be allowed to take hold.

The Secretariat emphasized that enforcement efforts will continue unabated until the ecological integrity of the nation’s water bodies is fully restored and the rule of law upheld.