A joint operation by the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operation Squad (NAIMOS) has led to the arrest of 49 suspected illegal miners following an armed ambush on taskforce personnel in the Western Region.
The operation, conducted in the early hours of Thursday at Adiewoso within the Ghana Rubber Estates Limited (GREL) plantation in the Ahanta West Municipality, also resulted in the recovery of a pump-action firearm and the seizure of over GH₵226,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal mining.
The arrests came two days after NAIMOS personnel came under fire while conducting an operation at the same location. According to reports, illegal miners opened fire on a taskforce Zonda pickup vehicle with multiple rounds from pump-action weapons on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The NAIMOS team executed a tactical withdrawal and suffered no casualties.
Intelligence gathering following the ambush led to a coordinated cordon-and-search operation on Thursday. A total of 114 individuals were initially rounded up and taken to the Adiewoso Community Centre for screening. After verification, 49 were confirmed as suspected illegal miners actively operating within the plantation.
Eight individuals were identified as casual GREL workers residing in the community, while 12 were confirmed to be senior high school students. The remaining persons were classified as artisans and local residents with no direct involvement in illegal mining. All of them were released.
Among those arrested, three were identified as foreign nationals: Abdul Karim from Niger, and Nash Ishaku and Eliyasu Sie, both from Burkina Faso.
During searches, officers discovered GH₵140,000 in a Toyota Raize belonging to Daniel Avoka, and GH₵86,710 alongside two containers of small ball-like substances suspected to be gold from a white Toyota Hilux. The owner of the Hilux, Ebenezer Cobbinah, was arrested and is assisting with investigations. Substances suspected to be Indian hemp and cartons of cigarettes believed to be linked to illegal mining activities were also seized.
The operation was supported by a joint team comprising GREL management and officers from the Agona Ahanta Police Command, who helped distinguish legitimate plantation workers from suspects. All verified GREL employees were exonerated and released.
The 49 suspects have been handed over to the Agona Divisional Police Command for further investigation.
NAIMOS said the operation demonstrates its commitment to tackling illegal mining, particularly where it threatens legitimate concessions, livelihoods, and environmental resources, and assured the public of its resolve to enforce the law and protect Ghana’s natural resources.
