Four armed men have been arrested by the task force of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.
According to NAIMOS, the arrests were made on Wednesday, May 20, during a routine patrol at about 3:25 p.m., when officers discovered an active illegal mining site along the river.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 21, the Secretariat said the suspects were found acting as security personnel for the illegal operation while also participating in mining activities.
“Upon arriving at the site, the task force was confronted by four armed thugs wielding machetes and pump-action guns,” the statement said.
NAIMOS indicated that the suspects resisted arrest and attempted to obstruct the operation but were eventually subdued and taken into custody.
The suspects were identified as Alpha Musa (28), Rahaman Rojer (29), Laji Bengali (25), and Mohammed Agana (25).
During interrogation, they allegedly claimed to be operating under the instructions of individuals said to be linked to National Security, names which have since been handed over to police for further investigation.
Items retrieved from the site included pump-action guns, ammunition, machetes, a water pumping machine, and equipment suspected to be used for excavator operations. Two excavators were also identified but immobilised due to lack of transport at the time.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Esiama District Police for further investigations and possible prosecution.
 for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River at Dominase in the Nzema East Municipality of the Western Region.){kind=link}