The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) Taskforce has arrested four armed persons accused of guarding an illegal mining site located at Anbanzie in the Nzema East District of the Western Region.
The arrests occurred on Monday, February 9, 2026, during a nighttime intelligence-guided operation that took place between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
As reported by NAIMOS, operatives faced resistance from approximately 15 individuals armed with cutlasses and adorned with cowries, who allegedly attempted to obstruct the taskforce convoy from reaching the site.
The group reportedly assaulted the operatives while they were performing their duties.
The task force successfully subdued the attackers and apprehended four suspects, while others escaped the scene. The illegal mining operation at the site was subsequently dismantled.
The four suspects have been identified as Massawudu Alhassan, 34; Zuberu Ahmidu, 32; William Boateng, 28; and Ernest Abeka, 22.
Preliminary questioning, according to NAIMOS, suggests that the suspects were part of a larger group hired by the site owner to protect the illegal mining operation. The suspects allegedly revealed that around 28 individuals had been engaged for this purpose.
The apprehended men have been transferred to the Salma Police Station to aid in investigations and potential prosecution.
In remarks regarding the operation, the Director of Operations at NAIMOS cautioned illegal mining networks against assaulting taskforce members.
He stressed that operatives would defend themselves when faced with violent resistance, adding that the secretariat would persist in intensifying raids on illegal mining sites throughout the country.
