Police in the Central Region have arrested eight individuals accused of posing as national security operatives to rob illegal miners at Assin Awisam.

The suspects, reportedly including the son of a Municipal Chief Executive, are said to have stormed the community on Friday afternoon in a black Mitsubishi pick-up truck with registration GS 8293-18 and a Toyota Voxy.

According to reports, the group conducted what appeared to be an operation during which they allegedly seized gold, cash, and mobile phones from miners in the area.

Their actions, however, triggered outrage among residents, who claimed the suspects had been involved in repeated acts of extortion.

Some community members confronted the group, deflated the tyres of their vehicles, and attempted to lynch them.

The situation was eventually brought under control by community leaders, who intervened and handed the suspects over to the police at Awisam.

Tensions remained high following the arrests, as angry youth besieged the police station.

In response, the Assin North Regional Police Command deployed reinforcement to restore calm.

The suspects were later transferred under heavy security to Assin Foso.

During initial interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted taking some mobile phones but denied stealing gold.

All eight individuals are currently in custody at the Assin North Regional Police Command, assisting with ongoing investigations.

A youth leader in the community, George Anokye, told the media that the incident was not isolated, alleging that some individuals posing as state security operatives have persistently harassed and extorted miners in the area.

He cited a previous incident in late 2025, where the same group allegedly set fire to a water pumping machine belonging to a miner after reportedly collecting GHS120,000 from him.

Mr. Anokye warned that continued incidents of alleged extortion under the guise of anti-galamsey operations are heightening tensions in the community and could lead to unrest if authorities fail to take decisive action.